Moderate vs. Extreme — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 2, 2024
Moderate refers to a balanced, reasonable approach or level, often avoiding extremes, whereas extreme denotes something far from the average or norm, typically at the highest or lowest ends.
Difference Between Moderate and Extreme
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Moderate implies a position or measure that is not too far in any direction, aiming for a middle ground. On the other hand, extreme represents a condition or stance that is highly unusual or farthest from the center, often seen as excessive or intense.
In politics, a moderate may advocate for policies that offer compromise and appeal to a broad spectrum of people, seeking to stabilize society by balancing opposing viewpoints. Conversely, someone with extreme political views pushes for radical changes and may support drastic measures that can polarize or disrupt society.
When referring to weather, moderate weather conditions are generally pleasant or tolerable, neither too hot nor too cold, which makes them ideal for outdoor activities. In contrast, extreme weather includes hurricanes, heatwaves, or blizzards, posing risks and requiring special preparations due to their severity.
In terms of exercise, a moderate workout might include activities like brisk walking or gentle cycling that maintain fitness without overstressing the body. However, extreme exercise could involve intense activities like marathon running or heavy weightlifting, which push the body to its limits and often aim for peak physical achievement.
In discussions or debates, a moderate tone or argument is characterized by reasoned, well-balanced viewpoints that foster dialogue and understanding. Extreme arguments, however, are often marked by aggressive rhetoric or uncompromising stances that can lead to conflicts or breakdowns in communication.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Balanced and reasonable, avoiding extremes
Far from the average, intense, or radical
Political Views
Advocates for compromise and broad appeal
Supports radical changes and polarizing views
Weather
Pleasant and tolerable, ideal for most activities
Severe, often hazardous, requiring preparation
Exercise
Mild to moderate intensity, maintains fitness
High intensity, aims for peak performance
Communication
Reasoned and conducive to dialogue
Aggressive and potentially divisive
Compare with Definitions
Moderate
Exhibiting moderation and avoiding extremes or excess.
She always took a moderate approach to investments.
Extreme
Located at the furthest point or limit.
The mountain's extreme summit was notorious for its treacherous conditions.
Moderate
Average in amount, intensity, quality, or degree.
The conference had a moderate turnout.
Extreme
Severe or drastic in nature or effect.
They took extreme measures to ensure the project's success.
Moderate
Not extreme, excessive, or intense.
He prefers a moderate pace when hiking.
Extreme
Pertaining to the highest degree of intensity, quality, or condition.
The athlete underwent extreme training for the competition.
Moderate
Reasonably balanced in views or positions.
Her moderate political views often helped in negotiations.
Extreme
Reaching a high or the highest degree; very great.
The extreme heat made it impossible to work outdoors.
Moderate
Within reasonable limits; not excessive or extreme.
The repair costs were moderate, making the old car worth fixing.
Extreme
Far from moderate or average; very unusual.
His extreme dedication to his job sometimes affected his health.
Moderate
Being within reasonable limits; not excessive or extreme
A moderate price.
Extreme
Most remote in any direction; outermost or farthest
The extreme edge of the field.
Moderate
Not violent or subject to extremes; mild or calm; temperate
A moderate climate.
Extreme
Being in or attaining the greatest or highest degree; very intense
Extreme pleasure.
Extreme pain.
Moderate
Of medium or average quantity or extent.
Extreme
Being far beyond the norm
An extreme conservative.
Moderate
Of limited or average quality; mediocre.
Extreme
Of the greatest severity; drastic
Took extreme measures to conserve fuel.
Moderate
Opposed to radical or extreme views or measures, especially in politics or religion.
Extreme
Characterized by severe, usually oxygen-poor environmental conditions.
Moderate
One who holds or champions moderate views or opinions, especially in politics or religion.
Extreme
Having an affinity for such conditions
An extreme microorganism.
Moderate
To cause to be less extreme, intense, or violent.
Extreme
Very dangerous or difficult
Extreme rafting.
Moderate
To preside over
She was chosen to moderate the convention.
Extreme
Participating or tending to participate in a very dangerous or difficult sport
An extreme skier.
Moderate
To become less extreme, intense, or violent; abate.
Extreme
(Archaic) Final; last.
Moderate
To act as a moderator.
Extreme
The greatest or utmost degree or point.
Moderate
Not excessive; acting in moderation
Moderate language
A moderate Calvinist
Travelling at a moderate speed
Extreme
Either of the two things situated at opposite ends of a range
The extremes of boiling and freezing.
Moderate
More than mild, less than severe
Extreme
An extreme condition.
Moderate
Mediocre
Extreme
An immoderate, drastic expedient
Resorted to extremes in the emergency.
Moderate
Average priced; standard-deal
Extreme
The first or last term of a ratio or a series.
Moderate
Not violent or rigorous; temperate; mild; gentle.
A moderate winter
Extreme
A maximum or minimum value of a function.
Moderate
Having an intermediate position between liberal and conservative.
Extreme
(Logic) The major or minor term of a syllogism.
Moderate
One who holds an intermediate position between extremes, as in politics.
While the moderates usually propose political compromise, it's often only achieved when the extremists allow them so
The moderates are the natural advocates of ecumenism against the fanatics of their churches.
Extreme
Of a place, the most remote, farthest or outermost.
At the extreme edges, the coating is very thin.
Moderate
One of a party in Scottish Church history dominant in the 18th century, lax in doctrine and discipline, but intolerant of evangelicalism and popular rights. It caused the secessions of 1733 and 1761, and its final resultant was the Disruption of 1843.
Extreme
In the greatest or highest degree; intense.
He has an extreme aversion to needles, and avoids visiting the doctor.
Moderate
(transitive) To reduce the excessiveness of (something)
To moderate rage, action, desires, etc.
Extreme
Excessive, or far beyond the norm.
His extreme love of model trains showed in the rails that criscrossed his entire home.
Moderate
(intransitive) To become less excessive
Extreme
Drastic, or of great severity.
I think the new laws are extreme, but many believe them necessary for national security.
Moderate
(transitive) To preside over (something) as a moderator
To moderate a synod
Extreme
Of sports, difficult or dangerous; performed in a hazardous environment.
Television has begun to reflect the growing popularity of extreme sports such as bungee jumping and skateboarding.
Moderate
(intransitive) To act as a moderator; to assist in bringing to compromise
Extreme
(archaic) Ultimate, final or last.
The extreme hour of life
Moderate
To supply with a moderator substance that decreases the speed of neutrons in a nuclear reactor and hence increases likelihood of fission.
A graphite-moderated reactor
Extreme
The greatest or utmost point, degree or condition.
Moderate
Kept within due bounds; observing reasonable limits; not excessive, extreme, violent, or rigorous; limited; restrained
A number of moderate members managed . . . to obtain a majority in a thin house.
Extreme
Each of the things at opposite ends of a range or scale.
Extremes of temperature
Moderate
Not violent or rigorous; temperate; mild; gentle; as, a moderate winter.
Extreme
One of the last moments of life.
Moderate
One of a party in the Church of Scotland in the 18th century, and part of the 19th, professing moderation in matters of church government, in discipline, and in doctrine.
Extreme
A drastic expedient.
Some people go to extremes for attention on social media.
Moderate
To restrain from excess of any kind; to reduce from a state of violence, intensity, or excess; to keep within bounds; to make temperate; to lessen; to allay; to repress; to temper; to qualify; as, to moderate rage, action, desires, etc.; to moderate heat or wind.
By its astringent quality, it moderates the relaxing quality of warm water.
To moderate stiff minds disposed to strive.
Extreme
Hardships, straits.
Moderate
To preside over, direct, or regulate, as a public meeting or a discussion; as, to moderate a synod; to moderate a debate.
Extreme
(mathematics) Either of the two numbers at the ends of a proportion, as 1 and 6 in 1:2=3:6.
Moderate
To become less violent, severe, rigorous, or intense; as, the wind has moderated.
Extreme
(archaic) Extremely.
Moderate
To preside as a moderator.
Dr. Barlow [was] engaged . . . to moderate for him in the divinity disputation.
Extreme
At the utmost point, edge, or border; outermost; utmost; farthest; most remote; at the widest limit.
Moderate
A person who takes a position in the political center
Extreme
Last; final; conclusive; - said of time; as, the extreme hour of life.
Moderate
Preside over;
John moderated the discussion
Extreme
The best of worst; most urgent; greatest; highest; immoderate; excessive; most violent; as, an extreme case; extreme folly.
Yet extreme gusts will blow out fire.
Moderate
Make less fast or intense;
Moderate your speed
Extreme
Radical; ultra; as, extreme opinions.
The Puritans or extreme Protestants.
Moderate
Lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits;
Moderate your alcohol intake
Hold your tongue
Hold your temper
Control your anger
Extreme
Extended or contracted as much as possible; - said of intervals; as, an extreme sharp second; an extreme flat forth.
Moderate
Make less severe or harsh;
He moderated his tone when the students burst out in tears
Extreme
The utmost point or verge; that part which terminates a body; extremity.
Moderate
Make less strong or intense; soften;
Tone down that aggressive letter
The author finally tamed some of his potentially offensive statements
Extreme
Utmost limit or degree that is supposable or tolerable; hence, furthest degree; any undue departure from the mean; - often in the plural: things at an extreme distance from each other, the most widely different states, etc.; as, extremes of heat and cold, of virtue and vice; extremes meet.
His parsimony went to the extreme of meanness.
Moderate
Restrain or temper
Extreme
An extreme state or condition; hence, calamity, danger, distress, etc.
Moderate
Being within reasonable or average limits; not excessive or extreme;
Moderate prices
A moderate income
A moderate fine
Moderate demands
A moderate estimate
A moderate eater
Moderate success
A kitchen of moderate size
The X-ray showed moderate enlargement of the heart
Extreme
Either of the extreme terms of a syllogism, the middle term being interposed between them.
Moderate
Not extreme;
A moderate penalty
Temperate in his response to criticism
Extreme
The first or the last term of a proportion or series.
Moderate
Marked by avoidance of extravagance or extremes;
Moderate in his demands
Restrained in his response
Extreme
The furthest or highest degree of something;
He carried it to extremes
Extreme
The point located farthest from the middle of something
Extreme
Of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity;
Extreme cold
Extreme caution
Extreme pleasure
Utmost contempt
To the utmost degree
In the uttermost distress
Extreme
Far beyond a norm in quantity or amount or degree; to an utmost degree;
An extreme example
Extreme temperatures
Extreme danger
Extreme
Beyond a norm in views or actions;
An extreme conservative
An extreme liberal
Extreme views on integration
Extreme opinions
Extreme
Most distant in any direction;
The extreme edge of town
Common Curiosities
What does moderate mean in a political context?
In politics, moderate means supporting policies that are not too radical and appeal to a wide range of people.
Why might someone prefer a moderate approach?
A moderate approach is often preferred for its balance, sustainability, and lower risk of negative outcomes.
What are examples of extreme sports?
Examples of extreme sports include skydiving, BASE jumping, and big wave surfing.
Can a moderate become extreme?
Yes, a moderate position can shift towards extremes under certain influences or changes in perspective.
What is considered extreme weather?
Extreme weather includes conditions like hurricanes, tornadoes, extreme heat, or cold, which are significantly severe.
What might be the risks of extreme behaviors or decisions?
Extreme behaviors or decisions can lead to high risks, potential conflicts, and instability.
What role do moderates play in conflict resolution?
Moderates play a crucial role in conflict resolution by mediating between opposing sides and promoting understanding.
How do moderates influence politics?
Moderates often influence politics by fostering compromise and preventing polarization.
What is a moderate climate like?
A moderate climate typically features mild temperatures and sufficient rainfall, conducive to diverse ecosystems.
Are extreme views common in mainstream society?
Extreme views are typically less common in mainstream society due to their radical nature.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat