I. adjective
1.
Synonyms: sober 3, temperate, unimpassioned
2.
not excessive in degree, amount, or intensity
the new proposals were met with only moderate enthusiam
the snowfall is expected to be no more than moderate
Synonyms: modest, reasonable, temperate
Related Word: bland, gentle, mild, soft; inconsequential, inconsiderable, slight, small; paltry, piddling, trifling, trivial
Contrasted words: excessive, extreme, inordinate, intemperate, radical, unreasonable
Antonyms: immoderate
3.
Synonyms: medium , average, fair, fairish, indifferent, intermediate, mean, mediocre, middling, so-so
Related Word: constant, equable, even, steady
4.
avoiding extreme political or social measures
party policy became increasingly moderate
Synonyms: middle-of-the-road, middle-road, soft-shell
Contrasted words: conservative, right, tory; left, radical, red; extremist, fanatical, ultra
5.
Synonyms: conservative 2, controlled, discreet, reasonable, restrained, temperate, unexcessive, unextreme
II. verb
1.
to modify as to avoid an extreme or keep within bounds
actors moderate their voices and gestures to fit the size of the theater
Synonyms: modulate, restrain, temper
Related Word: abate, decrease, diminish, lessen, reduce; alleviate, cushion, lighten, mitigate, mollify, relieve, slacken, slow; constrain, control, qualify; chasten, cool, subdue, tone (down)
Contrasted words: aggravate, enhance, heighten, intensify; augment, increase
2.
Synonyms: abate 4, die (down or away), ease off, ebb, fall, let up, relent, slacken, subside, wane