moderate

moderate

modif.

1. Not expensive

   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.

   Antonyms expensive*, dear*, exorbitant. *

2. Not extreme

   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.

   Antonyms immoderate, intemperate, extreme, excessive.

3. Not radical

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

   Antonyms radical, extremist, fanatic.

4. Average

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

5. Not indulgent

   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.

   Antonyms self-indulgent, intemperate, wasteful.

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

moderate

v.

1. To become less

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

2. To make less

   check, curb, reduce; see decrease 2.

3. To preside over

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