1
as in humbly
in a manner showing no signs of pride or self-assertion
spoke modestly about his accomplishments as an entrepreneur
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in innocently
with purity of thought and deed
dressed modestly to go to church
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of modestly
Khamenei is known to live modestly, and sometimes deep underground.
—
Karl Vick, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
In this model, policymakers adjust course—sometimes modestly, sometimes not at all—while workers, small-business owners, jobseekers, and caregivers are expected to weather the turbulence.
—Gene Ludwig, Fortune, 11 Jan. 2026
Glenn modestly tucked her hair behind her ears.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Meta stock move modestly higher.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2026
Key Takeaways Magnesium and berberine may modestly improve blood sugar control, especially in people with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.
—Morgan Pearson, Verywell Health, 9 Jan. 2026
ApartmentList’s city figures show rents in fire-distant markets are modestly more stable, a hint that wildfires created rental demand farther away from the fire zone.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 9 Jan. 2026
Yet Venezuela's limited crude production is likely to mute any immediate impact on oil prices, which fell modestly in afternoon trading on Saturday, according to FactSet.
—Alain Sherter, CBS News, 3 Jan. 2026
Moderate drinking may slightly increase breast cancer risk but not most other cancers, while light drinking may modestly reduce cardiovascular risk.
—Robert M. Kaplan, STAT, 1 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modestly
Adverb
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Theirs started humbly, and a bit unexpectedly.—
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Chalamet wore a conservative suit and tie and humbly thanked his fellow nominees, a dramatic shift in tone for the actor, who has tended toward the grandiose of late.—
Adverb
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What began as innocently wagering ten or twenty bucks on games escalated to putting $5,000 on long-shot parlays, day after day.—
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Mainstream media didn’t care about Brown and Black youth above Central Park innocently losing their lives.—
Adverb
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As seen in a video shared to X by Lizzie Robinson of ITV, the Princess of Wales politely said hello to a patient there, asked her name and made the connection between the woman and William, the heir to the throne.—
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Fear, hunger and repression did not stop politely at national borders.—
Adverb
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Shields, 62, sheepishly joked after two false starts.—
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An engineer with a litter-picker grabbed the fallen cloth and sheepishly moved it behind the machine, out of my line of sight.—
Adverb
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This timing is meant to ensure the pill absorbs properly, McCoy explained.—
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Keep in mind that firm menstrual cups are more likely to open properly after being inserted.—
Adverb
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Princess Bride is superbly planned and deferentially orchestrated — its theme fits its telling.—
Adverb
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For now, dark stars remain purely hypothetical, though some observational evidence is beginning to emerge.—
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Someone that was so divisive and creating content that was purely based on hatred.—
Adverb
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Ball handlers would dribble close to the basket, only to meekly back away, sensing him looming.—
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In other words, students prepare for citizenship in a disputatious society by practicing the civic arts—by asserting and advocating for their views—not by meekly absorbing lessons from their instructors.—
Cite this Entry
“Modestly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modestly. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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