adjective / noun / verb
moderate
MAH-der-uht/ˈmɑːdərət/
Kept within a middle range rather than at extremes.
The gardener gives the middle plant a moderate amount of water.
Etymology
The underlying image is something kept within due measure. Applied first to physical conditions and later to opinions, it describes what stays within bounds rather than reaching extremes.
In context
political debates often frame issues as left versus right even though many people hold moderate or mixed views that don't fit neatly into either category
More examples
- His moderate views appeal to voters in both parties.
- Several moderates in the Senate oppose the more extreme proposal.
- Cool ocean breezes moderate the summer heat along the coast.
Forms
moderate · moderates · moderated · moderating · more moderate · most moderate
moderately adverb — To a degree that avoids extremes.
moderation noun — The practice of avoiding excess or extremes.