Definition of immoderatenext

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

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 immoderate Still, abandoning my life in New York City and committing to the incalculable unknowns of being the resident baker at the South Pole was immoderate, even for me. Cree Lefavour, New Yorker, 7 Mar. 2026 This was accentuated by their immoderate use of black, putting the accent on cut and proportion. Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 12 Dec. 2025 Adult death is always strangely humiliating but this was something more, conceptually distressing, theoretically immoderate, elaborately unkind. Joy Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025 And drinking any type of alcohol in any type of immoderate way can bring more than a shot of risks. Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for immoderate
Adjective
  • The authors argued that the typical American diet contained excessive calories and fat and lacked sufficient amounts of complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Apr. 2026
  • This development enables high-performance batteries to function without the bulky pressurization hardware that often adds excessive weight and volume to electric vehicle battery packs.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Typical pulsating aurora displays last 10 to 20 minutes, but Kerss had captured almost three hours of extreme pulsating auroras — an unusually powerful display and one of the longest on record, according to the statement.
    Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Threats are growing from more extreme weather.
    Michael Copley, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • While the crowd left with free T-shirts, the Spurs received more extravagant clothing from Kelly Olynyk, who celebrated his 35th birthday Sunday by handing out gifts.
    ABC News, ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026
  • What was your most extravagant impulse purchase?
    Avery Newmark, AJC.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The deal comes as New Delhi moves to diversify export markets to offset the impact of steep tariffs imposed by the United States and instability in shipping and energy routes due to the Iran war.
    ABC News, ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Hispanic adults and residents of Western states experienced the steepest increases in rectal cancer deaths, the study found.
    Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Bringing his bag of insane tricks and witty banter to the Wilshire Ebell Theatre for two nights on May 8 and 9, Willman’s crowd work, storytelling and intricate tricks are inspired by everyday life.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Just this insane profanity-laden tirade that went on and on and on.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Immoderate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/immoderate. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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