moderate

moderate — adjective

1. not too big, too small, too hot, too expensive, or too strong — staying in a mid

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

not too big, too small, too hot, too expensive, or too strong — staying in a middle range that most people find normal or acceptable.

Example

The doctor recommended moderate exercise, such as a thirty-minute walk each day.

collocation: moderate exercise / moderate speed / moderate price

Even a moderate increase in temperature can affect the plants in the garden.

Common collocations
  • moderate exercise
  • moderate price
  • moderate speed
  • moderate temperature
  • moderate rain
  • moderate traffic
Synonyms
  • reasonable

    more about fairness and common sense than a middle position

  • average

    often implies a mathematical mean or typical level, but can carry a negative 'mediocre' tone

  • medium

    more concrete and physical; used for sizes and temperatures rather than abstract quantities

Antonyms
  • extreme

    far beyond what is normal or acceptable

  • excessive

    more than is necessary or reasonable

Usage Note

Common with nouns describing measurable quantities or conditions: moderate speed, moderate heat, moderate rainfall, moderate success.

Common Mistakes

The price was moderated.
The price was moderate.
'moderate' as an adjective describes a quality; the verb 'moderate' means to make something less strong.

2. referring to a person whose stances on issues, particularly political ones, stee

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

referring to a person whose stances on issues, particularly political ones, steer clear of extreme positions and are widely seen as sensible.

Example

The newspaper supports moderate candidates from both the major political parties.

domain: politics and opinion — moderate candidate / moderate stance / moderate party

Valentina's views on education reform are moderate, appealing to parents across the political spectrum.

Common collocations
  • moderate views
  • moderate position
  • moderate stance
  • moderate candidate
  • moderate approach
  • moderate party
Synonyms
  • centrist

    specifically about occupying the middle ground in politics; less common outside political contexts

  • middle-of-the-road

    more informal and can suggest boring or unexciting rather than sensible

Antonyms
  • radical

    advocating extreme change, especially in politics

  • extreme

    far from the centre of opinion

Usage Note

Frequently used in political reporting and commentary. Can also describe non-political beliefs or behaviour that avoids extremes, e.g. 'moderate views on parenting'.

Common Mistakes

She is a moderate person, meaning she is kind.
She is a moderate person, meaning her opinions are not extreme.
'moderate' in this sense refers to opinions or beliefs, not general personality.

moderate — noun

moderate — verb

Word family

  • moderately
    adverbB1
  • moderation
    nounB2
  • moderator
    nounB2
  • moderated
    adjectiveB2
  • immoderate
    adjectiveC1
  • moderateness
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words describe making something weaker or less intense, but they differ in scope and register. 'Lessen' is the most general — you can lessen pain, risk, distance, or noise, making it useful across many contexts. 'Ease' has a comforting quality and typically pairs with pain, tension, worry, or restrictions ('ease the pressure'). 'Tone down' is a phrasal verb with an informal register, used almost exclusively for behaviour, language, or colours ('tone down the criticism'). 'Temper' adds a balancing element — you temper enthusiasm with caution or temper justice with mercy, suggesting a deliberate adjustment toward a middle ground. 'Moderate' (verb/1) carries a sense of bringing something within reasonable limits rather than simply reducing it. For example: 'She moderated her tone' suggests she brought it to an appropriate level, while 'She toned down her tone' sounds redundant, and 'She lessened her tone' is unnatural.

lessenease ↗tone downtemper ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • moderate exercise
  • moderate speed
  • moderate temperature
  • moderate price
  • moderate amount

Adverbs

  • moderately
  • very moderate
  • fairly moderate
  • relatively moderate

Phrases

  • at a moderate pace
  • to a moderate degree
  • within moderate limits

Prepositions

  • moderate in (size, price, opinion)

Etymology

LatinMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'moderate' comes from Latin 'moderatus', meaning 'kept within measure' or 'restrained'. This is the past participle of 'moderari' ('to control, to guide'), which itself comes from 'modus' ('measure, manner, limit'). The idea of staying within a measured limit has been carried through all its meanings — whether describing a reasonable price, a centrist politician, or someone who calms a heated discussion.