moderate
Neither here nor there
Moderate describes something in the middle range—not extreme, not minimal, but somewhere in between.
A moderate climate is neither too hot nor too cold; moderate exercise is neither strenuous nor negligible.
As a noun, a moderate is someone whose political views avoid the extremes of left and right.
The verb moderate means to preside over a discussion or debate, or to make something less intense: The medication helped moderate her symptoms.
To do something in moderation is to avoid excess.
One favoring middle positions
- center-leftMildly progressive political stance
- center-rightSomewhat conservative politically
- mainstreamDominant cultural current
- middle-of-the-roadUncontroversially conventional stance
pragmatic · reformist · incrementalist · bipartisan · nonpartisan · independent · swing · third way
Moderate in intensity
- gentleSoft and kind
- restrainedHeld under control
- subduedReduced in intensity
- tolerableAble to be endured
manageable · bearable · light · soft · slight · tempered · measured · reasonable
Raised road margin
- restrainLimit freedom of movement
- regulateControl by rules
- controlAuthority to direct
- governExercise political control
check · cap · limit · bound · confine · restrict · constrain · temper
Moderate in intensity
- coolCalm or fashionable
- warmModerately heated, or friendly
- equableCalm and unvarying
- pleasantGiving enjoyment or comfort
clement · balmy · gentle · fair · comfortable · springlike · subtropical · frost-free
Settle as impartial judge
- mediateFacilitate agreement between disputants
- refereeSports rule enforcer
- umpireSports match official
- facilitateMake something easier
negotiate · conciliate · adjudicate · preside · chair · oversee · intervene · broker
centrist
One favoring middle positions
- center-leftMildly progressive political stance
- center-rightSomewhat conservative politically
- mainstreamDominant cultural current
middle-of-the-road · pragmatic · reformist · incrementalist · bipartisan · nonpartisan · independent · swing · third way
mild
Moderate in intensity
- gentleSoft and kind
- restrainedHeld under control
- subduedReduced in intensity
tolerable · manageable · bearable · light · soft · slight · tempered · measured · reasonable · middling
curb
Raised road margin
govern · check · cap · limit · bound · confine · restrict · constrain · temper · tone down
mild
Moderate in intensity
pleasant · clement · balmy · gentle · fair · comfortable · springlike · subtropical · frost-free · seasonal
abate
Lessen in intensity
subside · ease · let up · taper · decrease · dwindle · slacken · ebb · recede · weaken
arbitrate
Settle as impartial judge
- mediateFacilitate agreement between disputants
- refereeSports rule enforcer
- umpireSports match official
facilitate · negotiate · conciliate · adjudicate · preside · chair · oversee · intervene · broker · liaise
- commitment levelscommitted, dedicated, devoted, loyal, faithful
- Exercise Typesintense, light, vigorous, low-impact, high-impact
- intensity levelshigh, low, medium, intense, extreme
- ranking systemstop secret, secret, confidential, unclassified, restricted
- middle groundaverage, standard, midrange, middle, intermediate
- problem adjectivesserious, severe, major, minor, critical
moderateextreme
Furthest from moderate
excessive · immoderate · extravagant · inordinate · outrageous
moderateextremist
One holding fringe views
radical · extreme · revolutionary · reactionary · far-right
moderateintemperate
Lacking moderation or restraint
extreme · violent · unrestrained · rabid · uncontrolled
- in moderationWithin reasonable limits
- moderate drinkingLimited alcohol intake
- debate moderatorOne who oversees formal arguments
- content moderationReviewing online submissions
- content moderatorsStaff screening online submissions
- moderate drinkerOne who consumes alcohol sparingly
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