moderate

I

(Roget's IV) modif.

1. [Not expensive]

Syn. inexpensive, low-priced, medium-priced, reasonable, within reason, modest, inexorbitant, not excessive, not dear, average, nominal, at par, usual, inconsiderable, marked down, at a bargain, half-price, reduced, worth the money, relatively low, of small yield; see also cheap 1 , economical 2 .

Ant. expensive*, dear, exorbitant.

2. [Not extreme]

Syn. temperate, measured, judicious, unexcessive, restrained, considered, reasonable, unextreme, balanced, equable, easy, average, steady, even, deliberate, calm, cool, mild, clement, gentle, unimpassioned, low-key, dispassionate, cautious, sober, prudent, sound, controlled, regulated, modest, conservative, medium, midway, within compass, within limits, striking the golden mean; see also calm 1 , conservative , mild 2 .

Ant. immoderate, intemperate, extreme, excessive.

3. [Not radical]

Syn. centrist, middle-of-the-road, tolerant, nonpartisan, unopinionated, undogmatic, not given to extremes, nonviolent, neutral, impartial, respectable, middle-class, preserving the middle course, compromising.

Ant. radical, extremist, fanatic.

4. [Average]

Syn. middling, modest, fair, mediocre; see common 1 .

5. [Not indulgent]

Syn. temperate, restrained, sober, sparing, abstemious, frugal, self-denying, abstinent, unindulgent, self-controlled, disciplined, careful, teetotaling, on the wagon*, straight*, sworn off*; see also restrained , sober 3 .

Ant. self-indulgent, intemperate, wasteful.

Syn.- moderate and temperate are often interchangeable in denoting a staying within reasonable limits, but in strict discrimination, moderate implies merely the absence of excesses or extremes, while temperate suggests deliberate self-restraint [moderate demands, a temperate reply ] v.

1. [To become less]

Syn. abate, modify, lessen, decline; see decrease 1 .

2. [To make less]

Syn. check, curb, reduce; see decrease 2 .

3. [To preside over]

Syn. lead, direct, supervise, govern; see manage 1 .

II

(Roget's 3 Superthesaurus)

I

n.

*middle-of-the-roader, nonliberal, nonconservative, centrist.

ANT.: radical, conservative, liberal

II

v.

1. lessen soften, mitigate, restrain, check, tone down, control, regulate, reduce, slacken, ease, blunt.

2. preside over control, oversee, chair, mediate, referee, lead, emcee, govern, supervise.

ANT.: 1. intensify, increase, aggravate

III

a.

1. temperate reasonable, sensible, judicious, balanced, equable, conservative, restrained, neutral, unexceptional, middling, not extreme.

2. mild calm, gentle, soft, low-key, quiet.

3. average medium, mediocre, so-so, fair, middling, ordinary, intermediate, mean, common.

ANT.: 1. extreme, severe, excessive. 2. harsh, severe, violent. 3. exceptional, outstanding, extraordinary

III

(Roget's Thesaurus II) I adjective 1. Not excessive or extreme in amount, degree, or force: modest, reasonable, temperate. See BIG, EDGE. 2. Kept within sensible limits: conservative, discreet, reasonable, restrained, temperate. See PLAIN, RESTRAINT. 3. Suited to or within the means of ordinary people: modest, popular, reasonable. See MONEY. 4. Not steep or abrupt: easy, gentle, gradual. See RISE. 5. Requiring little effort or exertion: easy, light2. See EASY. 6. Free from extremes in temperature: mild, temperate. See EDGE. 7. Of small intensity: gentle, light2, slight, . soft. See STRONG. 8. Of moderately good quality but less than excellent: acceptable, adequate, all right, average, common, decent, fair, fairish, goodish, passable, respectable, satisfactory, sufficient, tolerable. Informal: OK, tidy. See GOOD. II verb 1. To make or become less severe or extreme: mute, qualify, soften, subdue, tame, temper, tone down. See INCREASE. 2. To become or cause to become less active or intense: abate, bate, die (away, down, off, or out), ease (off or up), ebb, fall, fall off, lapse, let up, remit, slacken, slack off, subside, wane. See INCREASE.