Definition of modestnext
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as in humble
not having or showing any feelings of superiority, self-assertiveness, or showiness appealingly modest about her success in the fashion industry

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word modest distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of modest are chaste, decent, and pure. While all these words mean "free from all taint of what is lewd or salacious," modest and decent apply especially to deportment and dress as outward signs of inward chastity or purity.

preferred more modest swimsuits
decent people didn't go to such movies

When is it sensible to use chaste instead of modest?

While the synonyms chaste and modest are close in meaning, chaste primarily implies a refraining from acts or even thoughts or desires that are not virginal or not sanctioned by marriage vows.

they maintained chaste relations

How do pure and chaste relate to one another, in the sense of modest?

Pure differs from chaste in implying innocence and absence of temptation rather than control of one's impulses and actions.

the pure of heart

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of modest This modest documentary album illustrates how American music has always contributed significantly to the telling of America’s story. Ted Olson, The Conversation, 2 July 2026 Trump receives a pension of $6,484 per month from SAG, and also gets a modest pension from the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, $727 per month. Will Lennon, ABC News, 2 July 2026 There were the modest re-signings Wednesday of veterans Nick Foligno and Zach Bogosian, the addition of career backup Calvin Pickard as a fill-in goalie for rehabbing Filip Gustavsson and four forwards destined for Iowa. Michael Russo, New York Times, 2 July 2026 For my son and me though, the rather modest town brings back fond memories of an amateur rocketry launch site at the base of a mountain just south of the town off Interstate 8. Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for modest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modest
Adjective
  • That adds up to just $15,080 a year, based on a standard 40-hour workweek—less than a third of the average American’s salary of around $60,000 yearly.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 6 July 2026
  • The battery life errs more on the average side and lacks magnetic charging, but the $200 Fourth of July discount makes up for it.
    Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 6 July 2026
Adjective
  • The World Cup visitors being blown away by all that is America is pure entertainment.
    Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
  • Post-split, one Comcast entity will be a pure-play entertainment content company, with NBCUniversal and Sky assets, while the other company will be a leading broadband, cable and wireless provider.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 30 June 2026
Adjective
  • Willis, who was one of the group's founders in the 1970s, died one day shy of his 75th birthday.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • His six goals tied Argentina forward Lionel Messi for the tournament lead and gave him 18 in his World Cup career, one shy of Messi's record.
    CBS News, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • Teoscar Hernández was back from a hamstring injury, and a little bit humble.
    Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
  • America's favorite investment has changed over time In 2008, as the Great Recession descended, Americans picked the humble savings account (and the certificate of deposit) as their favorite long-term investment in Gallup polls.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 30 June 2026
Adjective
  • The median cumulative earnings for UC graduates over a 20-year period amounts to more than $2 million, data from 2024 shows.
    Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026
  • The median cost for full-time care for an infant in Los Angeles County was $1,209 a month at a family child-care home and $1,818 a month at a center in 2024, according to data from the California Budget & Policy Center.
    Kate Sequeira, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • And his fit with what the Celtics love to do, which is shoot 3-pointers, is an immaculate one.
    Tony Jones, New York Times, 2 July 2026
  • One thing Princess Diana was never without was an immaculate French manicure.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • Without daily contact with peers, some children become more withdrawn, lonely or emotionally flat.
    John Samuels, Forbes.com, 8 June 2026
  • Blatter also suggested that Infantino, like a lot of dictators, has started acting withdrawn.
    Chris Jones, The Atlantic, 7 June 2026
Adjective
  • Contrasting her with the meek, mysterious, and passive Anthy, the series examines the constrictions both men and women face via traditional gender roles, with an eye towards gender fluidity that remains radical today.
    Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 12 June 2026
  • The series centers on Cha Myung-jo, a meek worker at a company producing imitation character stickers who, despite nominally heading his household, lives in the shadow of his far more capable wife.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Modest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modest. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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