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GRE vocabulary

modest

adjectiveHigh-frequency wordMore M words

unassuming in the estimation of one's own abilities; not boastful

Word origin: From Latin modestus, keeping within measure, from modus, measure.

In a sentence

Modest in a sentence

Here are example sentences showing modest in a sentence.

Despite her remarkable achievements, she remained modest and gracious in interviews.

Despite the discovery's significance, she remained modest, crediting her collaborators and downplaying her own role.

Synonyms
Antonyms
arrogantboastfulconceitedvain
Usage & nuance

Using “modest” well

Modest most often means unassuming about one's own abilities or achievements, free of boastfulness. It has a separate sense of moderate in size or amount, as in a modest income.

Common questions

Questions about “modest

Modest (adjective) means unassuming in the estimation of one's own abilities; not boastful
Here is modest used in an example sentence: "Despite her remarkable achievements, she remained modest and gracious in interviews." Another example: "Despite the discovery's significance, she remained modest, crediting her collaborators and downplaying her own role."
Common synonyms for modest include humble, unassuming, reserved, meek.
Antonyms of modest include arrogant, boastful, conceited, vain.
In the humility sense, modest clusters with humble, unassuming, and reserved. Its antonyms arrogant, boastful, conceited, and vain mark the contrasting answer.
Yes. Modest is a high-frequency GRE word, so it is worth prioritising as you build your vocabulary.

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