Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Not extreme or excessive; within reasonable limits: Describes something that is average, not too much and not too little, or kept within sensible boundaries.
   • Avoiding extremes of opinion or behavior; temperate: Describes a person, view, or action that is calm, reasonable, and not radical.

2. Noun:

   • A person who holds moderate views, especially in politics: Refers to an individual whose opinions are not extreme, often positioned in the political center.

3. Verb:

   • To make or become less extreme, intense, or severe: The action of reducing the strength, force, or intensity of something.
   • To preside over a meeting or discussion: The action of acting as an impartial chairperson to facilitate a debate or event.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • The hike requires a moderate level of fitness. (It is not too easy and not too difficult.)
  • She expressed moderate support for the new policy. (Her support was not strong or weak, but reasonable.)
  • We found a hotel with moderate prices. (The prices were average and not excessive.)

• Noun:

  • The candidate appealed to moderates from both parties. (People with centrist, non-extreme political views.)
  • He is a moderate on most social issues. (A person with temperate, middle-ground opinions.)

• Verb:

  • Please moderate your speed when driving in the rain. (Make your speed less fast.)
  • She tried to moderate her tone during the argument. (Make her tone of voice less harsh or angry.)
  • The panel discussion will be moderated by a professor. (Presided over and facilitated by a professor.)

Advanced Usage

• "To moderate one's language/behavior": To make one's words or actions less extreme or offensive.
  • The politician was advised to moderate his language for the televised debate.
• "In moderation": (Phrase) Within sensible limits; not to excess.
  • He enjoys chocolate, but only in moderation.

Variants and Related Words

• Moderately (adverb): To a moderate degree; fairly.
  • The movie was moderately successful.
• Moderation (noun): The quality of being moderate; the process of moderating.
  • The council called for moderation in the ongoing dispute.
• Moderator (noun): A person who moderates, especially one who presides over a discussion or online forum.
  • The moderator ensured all candidates had equal speaking time.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Temperate, reasonable, average, medium, mild, restrained.
• Verb: Temper, soften, lessen, mitigate, restrain, control, chair, preside over.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(This word does not commonly form distinct phrasal verbs. Its meanings are typically expressed directly.)

Related Idioms

• "The middle of the road": A moderate position that avoids extremes. (This is a conceptual synonym, not a direct idiom with the word "moderate".)
  • His policies are very middle of the road.

Adjective

1. marked by avoidance of extravagance or extremes
   • moderate in his demands
   • restrained in his response
2. not extreme
   • a moderate penalty
   • temperate in his response to criticism
3. being within reasonable or average limits; not excessive or extreme
   • moderate prices
   • a moderate income
   • a moderate fine
   • moderate demands
   • a moderate estimate
   • a moderate eater
   • moderate success
   • a kitchen of moderate size
   • the X-ray showed moderate enlargement of the heart

Noun

1. a person who takes a position in the political center

Verb

1. restrain
2. make less strong or intense; soften
   • Tone down that aggressive letter
   • The author finally tamed some of his potentially offensive statements
3. make less severe or harsh
   • He moderated his tone when the students burst out in tears
4. lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits
   • moderate your alcohol intake
   • hold your tongue
   • hold your temper
   • control your anger
5. make less fast or intense
   • moderate your speed
6. preside over
   • John moderated the discussion