Moderate vs. Traditional — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on January 14, 2024
'Moderate' refers to being average in amount or intensity, or having centrist views, while 'traditional' pertains to customs, beliefs, or methods established over time.
Difference Between Moderate and Traditional
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Moderate: Implies a balance, neither extreme nor excessive. Traditional: Refers to practices or ideas that have been handed down through generations.
Moderate: In politics, suggests centrist or middle-of-the-road views. Traditional: In politics, can imply adherence to established, often conservative, practices.
Moderate: Can describe an approach or attitude that is reasonable and avoiding extremes. Traditional: Emphasizes historical continuity and respect for established customs.
Moderate: Often suggests flexibility and openness to adaptation. Traditional: Indicates a tendency to uphold and maintain established norms and methods.
Moderate: Can be applied to various contexts like behavior, political views, or consumption. Traditional: Usually linked to cultural, religious, or historical practices and beliefs.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Meaning
Average in amount or intensity, centrist views
Customs or methods established over time
Political Implication
Centrist, avoiding political extremes
Adhering to established or conservative practices
Approach
Reasonable, balanced, open to change
Upholding historical continuity, resistant to change
Application
Behavior, views, consumption
Cultural, religious, historical practices
Flexibility
Generally more flexible
Generally less flexible, adheres to norms
Compare with Definitions
Moderate
Average in amount, intensity, or degree.
He exercises a moderate amount daily.
Traditional
Relating to customs or beliefs.
They follow traditional cultural practices.
Moderate
Modest or restrained in behavior.
He is known for his moderate demeanor.
Traditional
Established by long usage.
Traditional recipes are passed down through generations.
Moderate
Being within reasonable limits; not excessive or extreme
A moderate price.
Traditional
Pertaining to older or classic styles.
He prefers traditional music over contemporary genres.
Moderate
Having centrist political views.
She holds moderate views on fiscal policy.
Traditional
Conventional, based on historical norms.
The event followed a traditional format.
Moderate
Reasonable, avoiding extremes.
His moderate approach to investment is quite effective.
Traditional
Of, relating to, or in accord with tradition
A traditional wedding ceremony.
Moderate
Acting as an arbitrator.
She was chosen to moderate the debate.
Traditional
Of, relating to, or derived from tradition.
This dance is one of the traditional customs in the area.
I think her traditional values are antiquated.
Moderate
Not violent or subject to extremes; mild or calm; temperate
A moderate climate.
Traditional
Communicated from ancestors to descendants by word only.
Traditional expositions of the Scriptures
Moderate
Of medium or average quantity or extent.
Traditional
Observant of tradition; attached to old customs; old-fashioned.
Moderate
Of limited or average quality; mediocre.
Traditional
In lieu of the name of the composer of a piece of music, whose real name is lost in the mists of time.
Moderate
Opposed to radical or extreme views or measures, especially in politics or religion.
Traditional
Relating to traditional Chinese.
The traditional form of the character has twice as many strokes as the simplified form.
Moderate
One who holds or champions moderate views or opinions, especially in politics or religion.
Traditional
A person with traditional beliefs.
Moderate
To cause to be less extreme, intense, or violent.
Traditional
Of or pertaining to tradition; derived from tradition; communicated from ancestors to descendants by word only; transmitted from age to age without writing; as, traditional opinions; traditional customs; traditional expositions of the Scriptures.
Moderate
To preside over
She was chosen to moderate the convention.
Traditional
Observant of tradition; attached to old customs; old-fashioned.
Moderate
To become less extreme, intense, or violent; abate.
Traditional
Consisting of or derived from tradition;
Traditional history
Traditional morality
Moderate
To act as a moderator.
Traditional
Pertaining to time-honored orthodox doctrines;
The simple security of traditional assumptions has vanished
Moderate
Not excessive; acting in moderation
Moderate language
A moderate Calvinist
Travelling at a moderate speed
Traditional
Resistant to change, emphasizing continuity.
Their family is very traditional in their way of living.
Moderate
More than mild, less than severe
Moderate
Mediocre
Moderate
Average priced; standard-deal
Moderate
Not violent or rigorous; temperate; mild; gentle.
A moderate winter
Moderate
Having an intermediate position between liberal and conservative.
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.
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.
Moderate
(transitive) To reduce the excessiveness of (something)
To moderate rage, action, desires, etc.
Moderate
(intransitive) To become less excessive
Moderate
(transitive) To preside over (something) as a moderator
To moderate a synod
Moderate
(intransitive) To act as a moderator; to assist in bringing to compromise
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
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.
Moderate
Not violent or rigorous; temperate; mild; gentle; as, a moderate winter.
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.
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.
Moderate
To preside over, direct, or regulate, as a public meeting or a discussion; as, to moderate a synod; to moderate a debate.
Moderate
To become less violent, severe, rigorous, or intense; as, the wind has moderated.
Moderate
To preside as a moderator.
Dr. Barlow [was] engaged . . . to moderate for him in the divinity disputation.
Moderate
A person who takes a position in the political center
Moderate
Preside over;
John moderated the discussion
Moderate
Make less fast or intense;
Moderate your speed
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
Moderate
Make less severe or harsh;
He moderated his tone when the students burst out in tears
Moderate
Make less strong or intense; soften;
Tone down that aggressive letter
The author finally tamed some of his potentially offensive statements
Moderate
Restrain or temper
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
Moderate
Not extreme;
A moderate penalty
Temperate in his response to criticism
Moderate
Marked by avoidance of extravagance or extremes;
Moderate in his demands
Restrained in his response
Common Curiosities
Can 'traditional' refer to music or art?
Yes, it can refer to music or art that follows established styles or historical norms.
Do 'traditional' values change over time?
Traditional values generally emphasize continuity, though they can evolve slowly.
Can someone be 'moderate' in their religious beliefs?
Yes, someone can hold moderate religious beliefs, neither too rigid nor too lax.
What does 'moderate' mean in politics?
It means having centrist views, often combining liberal and conservative stances.
Is it common for 'moderate' politicians to compromise?
Yes, moderate politicians often seek compromise between opposing viewpoints.
Are 'traditional' methods always outdated?
Not necessarily; traditional methods can be timeless and still relevant, depending on the context.
Can 'moderate' consumption include indulgences?
Yes, moderate consumption can include occasional indulgences within reasonable limits.
Is a 'moderate' diet healthy?
Yes, a moderate diet, which avoids excess, is often considered healthy.
How are 'traditional' practices maintained?
They are typically maintained through cultural transmission and adherence to established norms.
Can a 'moderate' approach be effective in business?
Yes, a moderate approach in business, balancing risk and conservatism, can be very effective.
Is a 'moderate' climate suitable for agriculture?
A moderate climate, which is neither too extreme nor too variable, is often ideal for many types of agriculture.
Can 'moderate' exercise be effective for weight loss?
Moderate exercise, when consistent, can be effective for weight management and overall health.
Do 'traditional' families follow strict gender roles?
In many traditional families, there may be a stronger adherence to specific gender roles, but this can vary widely.
Do 'traditional' societies resist modernization?
Traditional societies may prefer established ways, but this doesn't always mean resisting all modernization.
How do 'traditional' and 'modern' approaches differ in education?
Traditional education often emphasizes rote learning and conventional methods, while modern education may include innovative techniques and technology integration.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Deviation vs. Waiver
Next Comparison
Enumeration vs. NumerationAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
