MODEST Synonyms: 258 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

modest

adjective

ˈmä-dəst

Definition of modest next

as in average

being about midway between extremes of amount or size he was awarded a modest pension when he retired

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in pure

free from any trace of the coarse or indecent tended to wear more modest swimsuits than the thong-clad guests at the resort

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in shy

not comfortable around people a modest winner who said a quick thank-you and promptly left the stage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples 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 While traditionally demure held a connotation of being somewhat bland or modest, Lebron's page is anything but. —

Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 26 Nov. 2024 Nordstrom – The clothing retailer slipped less than 1% after the company issued a modest sales forecast for the full year. —

Sean Conlon, CNBC, 26 Nov. 2024 On the whole, Trump’s gains in Wisconsin’s mid-sized, blue-collar cities were modest and uneven. —

Craig Gilbert, Journal Sentinel, 25 Nov. 2024 Mo Pandiarajan established Eden School in 1998, renovating his parents' modest two-story home. —

Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 24 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for modest

Recent Examples of Synonyms for modest

Adjective

The average distance to the center of the Earth, by the way, is 3,959 miles.

Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 29 Nov. 2024
The cold will bring daytime highs that are 10 to 20 degrees below average, in the 30s and the low 40s, from Omaha, Nebraska, to New York and stretching south.

Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 29 Nov. 2024