moderate

/ˈmɒdərət/ (adjective, noun), /ˈmɒdəreɪt/ (verb)

Say it: MOD-er-it (adjective, noun), MOD-er-ayt (verb)

1. adjective Average in amount, intensity, quality, or degree; not extreme.
The doctor recommended moderate exercise, like a brisk walk, several times a week.
2. adjective Holding political views that are not radical or extreme.
She is a moderate voter, not strongly aligned with either the left or the right.
3. verb To make or become less extreme, intense, or severe.
He had to moderate his tone to avoid starting an argument.
4. verb To preside over a discussion or debate to ensure it is conducted fairly.
A famous journalist was chosen to moderate the presidential debate.

📖 Seen in the wild

She held moderate political views, avoiding the extremes of either party.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ moderate in a sentence

The company reported moderate growth in the last quarter.
We walked at a moderate pace, enjoying the scenery.
As a political moderate, he often finds common ground with both parties.
The new software will moderate the comments section to filter out spam.
The sauce has a moderate level of spice; it's not too hot.
She has achieved a moderate amount of success as a writer.
Please moderate the volume on the music.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

temperate reasonable mild average modest fair medium balanced

temperate · often implies self-restraint and calmness

reasonable · suggests being based on good sense and fair judgment

mild · refers to gentleness in manner, weather, or flavor

average · implies being typical or standard, without the positive connotation of being well-balanced

Opposites: extreme, intense, radical, severe, excessive

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'moderate' comes to us from the Latin 'moderari', meaning 'to regulate' or 'restrain'. This itself is from 'modus', which means 'measure'. The core idea has always been about keeping things within a proper measure, avoiding the extremes of too much or too little.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

moderate exercisemoderate successa moderate pacemoderate viewsmoderate a discussionmoderate risk

Pay close attention to pronunciation, which changes with the part of speech. The adjective and noun end in an '-it' sound, while the verb ends in an '-ayt' sound. 'Moderate' generally has a positive or neutral connotation, suggesting reasonableness and balance. This makes it a more favorable word than 'average' or 'mediocre', which can imply a lack of distinction.

Word family: moderation, moderator, moderately

💬 Quick answers

What does 'moderate' mean in simple terms?

It means not too much and not too little, but somewhere in the middle. It describes something that is average, reasonable, and avoids extremes.

What's the difference between 'moderate' and 'temperate'?

'Moderate' refers to being in the middle of a range, like moderate heat. 'Temperate' often implies self-control or a mild disposition, like a temperate person. While they overlap, 'temperate' carries a stronger sense of restraint.

How do you pronounce 'moderate' as a verb versus an adjective?

As an adjective or noun, it's pronounced MOD-er-it, with the last syllable sounding like 'it'. As a verb, it's pronounced MOD-er-ayt, with the last syllable rhyming with 'ate'.

Is being a 'moderate' in politics a good or bad thing?

It is a neutral term for someone whose political views are not extreme. Some see this as sensible and pragmatic, while others might view it as indecisive or lacking strong principles.

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