Synonym Chooser

How is the word immoderate different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of immoderate are excessive, exorbitant, extravagant, extreme, and inordinate. While all these words mean "going beyond a normal limit," immoderate implies lack of desirable or necessary restraint.

immoderate spending

When can excessive be used instead of immoderate?

In some situations, the words excessive and immoderate are roughly equivalent. However, excessive implies an amount or degree too great to be reasonable or acceptable.

excessive punishment

When is exorbitant a more appropriate choice than immoderate?

The synonyms exorbitant and immoderate are sometimes interchangeable, but exorbitant implies a departure from accepted standards regarding amount or degree.

exorbitant prices

Where would extravagant be a reasonable alternative to immoderate?

While the synonyms extravagant and immoderate are close in meaning, extravagant implies an indifference to restraints imposed by truth, prudence, or good taste.

extravagant claims for the product

When would extreme be a good substitute for immoderate?

The meanings of extreme and immoderate largely overlap; however, extreme may imply an approach to the farthest limit possible or conceivable but commonly means only to a notably high degree.

extreme shyness

In what contexts can inordinate take the place of immoderate?

The words inordinate and immoderate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, inordinate implies an exceeding of the limits dictated by reason or good judgment.

inordinate pride

Examples 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 immoderate That would have put the celebration on Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, a day traditionally marked by a big pancake supper and other immoderate and extravagant indulgences on the night before fasting and sobriety take over for Lent. Ruth Graham, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2024 The meat is juicy, salty and a little stringy, with a thick, craggy crust laced with an immoderate amount of black pepper. Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2024 Haley’s gift is to come across as a moderate while espousing immoderate views and surrounding herself with extremists. Sue Halpern, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2023 Mia got her gig and Lucia got her money; that final shot, in which the two best friends skip off together to make immoderate purchases, might be the closest thing White will ever give us to a happy ending. Time, 12 Dec. 2022 It’s long been argued that information disclosure initiatives like TRI compel polluters to scale back immoderate emissions for fear that their names might otherwise end up on the front page of The New York Times. Ava Kofman, oregonlive, 16 Dec. 2021 In my reading, Louie has been accused of immoderate desire, and the story is her response. Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 16 May 2021 Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, isn’t their willingness to pursue traditional Democratic goals by immoderate methods but their embrace of radical progressivism. Barton Swaim, WSJ, 12 Apr. 2021 But the immoderate 6-year-old remains his default setting. Reggie Ugwu, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for immoderate
Adjective
  • For many years, it was renowned for being a major party destination, known for excessive drinking, the easy availability of drugs and river tubing linked to a string of fatalities.
    Isaac Yee, CNN, 21 Nov. 2024
  • The worst part of the storm will occur Wednesday through Friday as parts of the northern California coast are at high risk of excessive rainfall, with areas receiving 10-15 inches in a 48-hour period.
    Chandelis Duster, NPR, 19 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Colorado wildfires are becoming more extreme, and fire officials must seek new and better ways to prevent and fight them.
    The Denver Post, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024
  • Trump’s vituperative persona, his enmity toward multilateralism, and his extreme policy agenda could easily sink the United States’ prospects for meaningful leadership of the G-20.
    Leslie Vinjamuri, Foreign Affairs, 15 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • On the spectator side, guests will have multiple extravagant viewership options: About 150 of the hotel rooms in the Amphitheater Tower have stage-facing balconies that are, at most, 200 feet from the stage — providing a private, mini-suite experience.
    Jessica Boehm, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024
  • In a chic throwback photo the British reality competition series shared on Instagram, the series judge, 84, casually leans across a bar top, wearing a long elegant gown, extravagant earrings and beehive-style hair.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Super Micro’s stock is currently trading at $27, representing a steep decline of 78% from its March peak of $123.
    Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 19 Nov. 2024
  • Indeed, the locations where the TV action was filmed have already seen a steep uptick in website traffic.
    Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK, theweek, 19 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Your voice is insane.
    Mary Colurso | [email protected], al, 4 Apr. 2023
  • But obviously winning the grand jury prize was insane.
    Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 31 Mar. 2023

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Thesaurus Entries Near immoderate

Cite this Entry

“Immoderate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/immoderate. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on immoderate

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