MODESTLY Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

modestly

adverb

Definition of modestly

as in humbly

in a manner showing no signs of pride or self-assertion spoke modestly about his accomplishments as an entrepreneur

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in innocently

with purity of thought and deed dressed modestly to go to church

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 modestly Some studies have found that tea consumption can modestly improve blood pressure, cholesterol levels and other markers of cardiovascular health. — Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026 Some brands could be feeling input cost pressure at the same time that lower total import costs may support modestly better gross margins in the near term. — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026 Since early September, FiftyPlusOne's polling average has tightened modestly, from about a 3-point advantage for Democrat Troy Jackson in early September to roughly 2 points now. — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026 Egyptians’ support for gender equality and expressive individualism also increased, albeit more modestly. — Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026 Both are curled in chairs in an otherwise empty room in an upscale Hyde Park Corner hotel, modestly dressed in jeans, sneakers and casual tops. — Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 Other takes on the genre were more modestly priced, though still a hike from the build-it-yourself versions about which some commenters reminisced from their days in Scouts (and just tinkering in their own garages). — New Atlas, 25 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for modestly

Adverb

Related Stories Speaking to Variety on the red carpet at its London Film Festival premiere on Sunday, Garfield — who has been Oscar-nominated twice but never won — reacted humbly to the praise.

— Alex Ritman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
And, as j-hope so humbly mentioned, the awards are just another milestone to add to what has already been a massive year for the group.

— Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of humbly

Adverb

His ideas align with Hinton’s, and by 2013 the two of them—along with a third partner, Fedor Fedotov’s Alex Krizhevsky—find themselves at Google, innocently pursuing their research.

— Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 7 Oct. 2026
The scoring started innocently enough, Stockton marching the team 79 yards on an 11-play workmanlike touchdown drive.

— Mike Griffith, AJC.com, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of innocently

Adverb

Can his anti-establishment, punk-rock spirit politely endure an attaboy from the man?

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
My New York neighbors barely said hello; in Singapore, a stranger would probably politely look away rather than risk embarrassing you.

— Amanda Lee Koe, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of politely

Adverb

The solution is a lot of morphine and a lot of rest, both of which Cathy undertakes with Adam constantly (and chastely) by her side.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
Take The Music Lesson, a study of a young woman playing the virginal, closely watched by a gentleman, which Graham-Dixon reads as a depiction of Collegiants chastely performing and singing psalms.

— Clare Bucknell, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026

Definition of chastely

Adverb

This visual communication is very useful during simulated space missions on land, too, especially in situations when our communications technologies have not worked properly.

— Michaela Musilova, Space.com, 27 Oct. 2026
When pension shortfalls, other post-employment benefits and deferred maintenance are properly counted, the true financial condition of Maryland and its local governments is far weaker than the official budget statements claim.

— Judi Willard, Baltimore Sun, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of properly

Adverb

Surprises happen when a film is cast purely from people DeFalco finds interesting.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Ian, my character, is not entirely good, and Henry, the ostensibly villainous character played by Brendan Cowell, is not purely dark either.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of purely

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modest

modestly

modesty

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“Modestly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modestly. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of modestly

adverb

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