modestly

adverb

Definition of modestlynext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of modestly Campaign reports filed with the Supervisor of Elections Office show Caruso and Democratic candidate Drucker raised and spent relatively modestly for a countywide campaign. — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026 This is a player who has been a modestly above-average finisher throughout his career, and has a serious nose for cashing in greasy goals at the net front. — Thomas Drance, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 In stock markets around the world, many indexes drifted modestly higher. — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026 The young partier who witnessed the shooting from a passing car appears on the stand as a modestly dressed, middle-aged woman. — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026 Courtesy Marriott Costa Rican Hospitality Guerrero lives modestly on a dirt road, in a one bedroom house, only reachable on foot or risking mudslides on a motorbike. — Jennifer Leigh Parker, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 The majority of the Lust works are modestly scaled with low values, likely to be sold during day sales, but around 10 are considered major works, the top lot almost certainly a large sculpture by Alberto Giacometti. — Daniel Cassady For Artnews, Robb Report, 20 Aug. 2026 Using average chemistry and densities for a couple different types of asteroids—common CM-group carbonaceous chondrites and rarer iron-rich M-type asteroids—some of the elements lost could be found in modestly sized bodies. — Scott K. Johnson, ArsTechnica, 20 Aug. 2026 Related Articles The majority of the Lust works are modestly scaled with low values, likely to be sold during day sales, but around 10 are considered major works, the top lot almost certainly a large sculpture by Alberto Giacometti. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modestly
  1. humbly
  2. innocently
  3. politely
  4. chastely
  5. sheepishly
  6. properly
  7. deferentially
  8. purely
Adverb
  • Elordi nearly shoulders the running time but plays his Hig a bit too humbly.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Under the jerseys, Lee, 40, humbly posts a small University of Missouri Athletics Hall of Fame plaque.
    — PJ Green August 27, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of humbly
Adverb
  • The Network Started With A Missing File The origins of the incident started innocently.
    — Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Their amalgamation with the other color produces a degradation to which no lover of his country, no lover of excellence in the human character can innocently consent.
    — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
Definition of innocently
Adverb
  • Though there have been tensions between Camilla and her stepson Harry over the years, royal biographer Tom Bower reported that the queen politely offered the Duke of Sussex a cup of tea.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Clocking in at 30 minutes, Williams’ Quartet La Jolla is a five-part work that politely utilizes dissonance and sometimes abstract rhythms.
    — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of politely
Adverb
  • Take The Music Lesson, a study of a young woman playing the virginal, closely watched by a gentleman, which Graham-Dixon reads as a depiction of Collegiants chastely performing and singing psalms.
    — Clare Bucknell, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
Definition of chastely
Adverb
  • Reluctantly, somewhat sheepishly, Van Lith wandered along the edge of the corn patch that August.
    — Jeff Murray, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Green looked sheepishly at Linkof, who gave him the green light to spill the beans.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 24 July 2026
Definition of sheepishly
Adverb
  • Knowing what to look for and how to properly analyze a vehicle during a test drive can be the difference between choosing your next daily driver that'll last decades, or leaving a vehicle on the lot.
    — Charles Singh, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
  • During the trial, the defense called witnesses who described Clancy as a dedicated parent who suffered from extreme mental illness and was not properly treated by her medical providers.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of properly
Adverb
  • Precedent thus gave the judge reason to deferentially review settlement terms.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 May 2026
  • Scorsese shoots them beautifully and deferentially.
    — Matt Weinstock, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of deferentially
Adverb
  • Note that credit bidding really does not purely involve a credit of a part of the judgment held against the debtor.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Tswalu was acquired by the philanthropic Oppenheimer family purely for environmental conservation.
    — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of purely

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Cite this Entry

“Modestly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modestly. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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