Definition Definition

Moderate - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'Moderate' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Moderate [ a.]
- Kept within due bounds; observing reasonable limits; not excessive, extreme, violent, or rigorous; limited; restrained
- Limited in quantity; sparing; temperate; frugal; as, moderate in eating or drinking; a moderate table.
- Limited in degree of activity, energy, or excitement; reasonable; calm; slow; as, moderate language; moderate endeavors.
- Not extreme in opinion, in partisanship, and the like; as, a moderate Calvinist.
- Not violent or rigorous; temperate; mild; gentle; as, a moderate winter.
- Limited as to degree of progress; as, to travel at moderate speed.
- Limited as to the degree in which a quality, principle, or faculty appears; as, an infusion of moderate strength; a man of moderate abilities.
- Limited in scope or effects; as, a reformation of a moderate kind.
2 . Moderate [ n.]
- One of a party in the Church of Scotland in the 18th century, and part of the 19th, professing moderation in matters of church government, in discipline, and in doctrine.
3 . Moderate [ v. i.]
- To become less violent, severe, rigorous, or intense; as, the wind has moderated.
- To preside as a moderator.
4 . Moderate [ v. t.]
- To restrain from excess of any kind; to reduce from a state of violence, intensity, or excess; to keep within bounds; to make temperate; to lessen; to allay; to repress; to temper; to qualify; as, to moderate rage, action, desires, etc.; to moderate heat or wind.
- To preside over, direct, or regulate, as a public meeting; as, to moderate a synod.

Meaning of 'Moderate' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . moderate [ v]
Meaning (1):
- lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits
Example in sentence:
  • control your anger;
  • hold your temper;
  • hold your tongue;
  • moderate your alcohol intake
Meaning (2):
- make less severe or harsh
Example in sentence:
  • He moderated his tone when the students burst out in tears;
  • mitigating circumstances
Meaning (3):
- preside over
Example in sentence:
  • John moderated the discussion
Meaning (4):
- make less fast or intense
Example in sentence:
  • moderate your speed
Meaning (5):
- make more temperate, acceptable, or suitable by adding something else
Example in sentence:
  • she tempered her criticism
Meaning (6):
- make less strong or intense; soften
Example in sentence:
  • The author finally tamed some of his potentially offensive statements;
  • Tone down that aggressive letter
7 . moderate [ a]
Meaning (7):
- being within reasonable or average limits; not excessive or extreme
Example in sentence:
  • a kitchen of moderate size;
  • a moderate eater;
  • a moderate estimate;
  • a moderate fine;
  • a moderate income;
  • moderate demands;
  • moderate prices;
  • moderate success;
  • the X-ray showed moderate enlargement of the heart
8 . moderate [ s]
Meaning (8):
- not extreme
Example in sentence:
  • a moderate penalty;
  • temperate in his response to criticism
Meaning (9):
- marked by avoidance of extravagance or extremes
Example in sentence:
  • moderate in his demands;
  • restrained in his response