1
as in meekness
the absence of any feelings of being better than others
his natural modesty makes him reluctant to run for public office
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in purity
the quality or state of being morally pure
in this day and age, that's very becoming modesty in a teenager
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of modesty
Some suggest his forthright manner and pride are somehow anathema to the country’s stereotypical characteristics of modesty and humility.
—
James McNicholas, The Athletic, 5 July 2024
Toronto Jump to: Recommendations Itinerary Google Map April 11, 2024
Locals may insist (politely, of course) that Toronto doesn’t belong atop any traveler’s wish list, but don’t fall for that Canadian modesty.
—Ingrid K. Williams, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Its materials confer a certain modesty that is befitting of its religious function and, in a sense, typical of the architect.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 18 July 2024
The Big Year captures Martin in kinder-gentler mode, but the film’s overall modesty keeps him from really registering.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 29 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for modesty 
James McNicholas, The Athletic, 5 July 2024
Toronto Jump to: Recommendations Itinerary Google Map April 11, 2024
Locals may insist (politely, of course) that Toronto doesn’t belong atop any traveler’s wish list, but don’t fall for that Canadian modesty.
—Ingrid K. Williams, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Its materials confer a certain modesty that is befitting of its religious function and, in a sense, typical of the architect.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 18 July 2024
The Big Year captures Martin in kinder-gentler mode, but the film’s overall modesty keeps him from really registering.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 29 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for modesty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modesty
Noun
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Most disconcerting is the meekness of Washington’s supposedly stalwart European allies.—
Raphael Cohen,
Foreign Affairs,
5 Nov. 2014
-
But to see Bass as a kumbaya leader — or to mistake her softness for meekness — is to fundamentally misunderstand her.—
Julia Wick,
Los Angeles Times,
23 June 2024
Noun
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These artifacts, which had not previously been documented in the country, were used to test the purity of gold.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
30 Jan. 2025
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But there’s another, more opaque thread among right-wing environmental beliefs, according to Jesse Bryant, a sociologist at Yale University: a yearning for a religious or pseudo-religious purity.—
Benji Jones,
Vox,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
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When confidence is tempered by humility and data, leaders thrive and not just survive.—
Mark Kane,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
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Obviously, Manchester United should have greater ambitions than a comfortable existence in English football’s top tier but some humility would not go amiss at the moment, which means acknowledging that the likes of Brighton are better than them right now, on and off the pitch.—
Matt Slater,
The Athletic,
19 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Attorneys for Michael Madigan opened their final bid to persuade jurors of his innocence by hearkening back to a memorable nickname for the former speaker: the Sphinx.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Jan. 2025
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Teni, just 2 years old at the time, was forced to witness the appalling scene unfold through a lens of innocence.—
Kyle Eustice,
SPIN,
24 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near modesty
Cite this Entry
“Modesty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modesty. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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