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Definitions

modest

[mod-ist] / ˈmɒd ɪst /
ADJECTIVE
shy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
humble moderate prudent quiet simple unassuming
WEAK
bashful blushing chaste coy demure diffident discreet lowly meek nice proper reserved resigned reticent retiring seemly self-conscious self-effacing sheepish silent temperate timid unassertive unassured unboastful unobtrusive unpresuming unpretending unpretentious withdrawing
Antonyms
STRONGEST
brave complex complicated intricate
WEAK
arrogant assured bold conceited courageous egotistical extraordinary immodest ostentatious presumptuous proud self-confident unabashed unashamed unlimited
ADJECTIVE
limited, ordinary
Synonyms
STRONGEST
humble inexpensive moderate reasonable simple small
WEAK
average cheap discreet dry economical fair inelaborate middling natural plain unadorned unaffected unembellished unembroidered unexceptional unexcessive unextravagant unextreme unobtrusive unornamented unostentatious unpretentious unradical unstudied
Antonyms
STRONGEST
expensive outrageous unreasonable
WEAK
arrogant assured bold brave conceited courageous egotistical extraordinary immodest ostentatious presumptuous proud self-confident unabashed unashamed unlimited

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The novelist Christopher Isherwood had a modest inheritance; Gertrude Stein a larger one.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Even relatively modest fields tend to weaken superconductivity, while stronger ones usually eliminate it entirely once a critical limit is reached.

From Science Daily • Apr. 10, 2026

U.S. stocks were headed for modest losses on Thursday as doubts swirled about whether a two-week truce with Iran will hold.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

You can travel around Europe on a quite modest budget using Uber, trains and Airbnb.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

I wanted to reach out and pull him toward me, but despite my annoyance with her advice, what Ma had said about being modest needled me.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu