I. mod ‧ e ‧ rate 1 /ˈmɒd ə rət, ˈmɒd ə rɪt $ ˈmɑː-/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: moderatus , past participle of moderare 'to moderate' ]
1 . not very large or very small, very hot or very cold, very fast or very slow etc:
Even moderate amounts of alcohol can be dangerous.
a moderate degree of success
a student of moderate ability
Moderate exercise, such as walking, is recommended.
Bake the pie for 30 minutes in a moderate oven.
moderate to strong winds
2 . having opinions or beliefs, especially about politics, that are not extreme and that most people consider reasonable OPP extreme :
the more moderate members of the party
a moderate politician
3 . staying within reasonable or sensible limits OPP immoderate :
a moderate smoker
moderate wage demands
⇨ ↑ moderately
II. mod ‧ e ‧ rate 2 /ˈmɒdəreɪt $ ˈmɑː-/ BrE AmE verb [intransitive and transitive]
1 . formal to make something less extreme or violent, or to become less extreme or violent:
The students moderated their demands.
He learnt to moderate his anger.
2 . British English to do the work of a ↑ moderator
III. mod ‧ e ‧ rate 3 /ˈmɒd ə rət, ˈmɒd ə rɪt $ ˈmɑː-/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
someone whose opinions or beliefs, especially about politics, are not extreme and are considered reasonable by most people OPP extremist , hardliner :
He’s coming under pressure from moderates in the party.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ right-wing adjective a right-wing person or group wants low taxes, a strong army and police force, and the individual to be free from government interference as much as possible:
right-wing political parties
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Some of his supporters are very right-wing.
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right-wing policies on gun control
▪ left-wing adjective a left-wing person or group wants the government to make society more equal by increasing taxes for rich people, and taking control of important industries and services:
a left-wing newspaper
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His views are very left-wing.
▪ green adjective [usually before noun] supporting policies and principles which will protect the environment:
green politicians
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the Green Party
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The government is under pressure to improve its green credentials (=to seem more like it wants to protect the environment) .
▪ radical adjective supporting political ideas that will involve great change:
radical politicians
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a radical economic reform programme
▪ liberal adjective supporting political ideas that will allow people to have greater freedom:
They want the government to have a more liberal policy on drugs.
▪ moderate adjective having political opinions which are not extreme:
People generally become more moderate as they get older.
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The bill is supported by moderate Republicans.
▪ extreme adjective having political opinions which are considered to be very unreasonable by many people:
His views on immigration are very extreme.
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an extreme right-wing organization