tempered

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "tempered" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a verb that means to moderate, restrain, or adjust. For example, "He tempered his response to the criticism he was receiving."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

The entire clip was filmed on location in Gibson's home territory of Pennsylvania's coal region, featuring the towns of Centralia, Jim Thorpe, Mahanoy City, Mt Carmel, Nesquehoning, Shamokin and Shenandoah; little happens aside from the looming sense of foreboding, tempered slightly by closeups of the Sub Pop heartthrob shovelling chips into his mouth.

The Guardian - Music

It's a different story at the BBC, where digital ambition is most definitely tempered by cuts.

The Guardian

However, any vague hope the 32-year-old novice had of producing an antidote to spawn an unlikely survival mission was tempered by Fulham, who took a big leap to securing their Championship status with a draw on a frenetic night at Craven Cottage.

The Guardian - Sport

Italians produced a very mixed response, with plenty of criticism tempered by the occasional vote of confidence.

The Guardian

But in many instances the progress is tempered by barriers, that need to be addressed.

The Guardian

Rangers' title celebrations will be tempered by the latest stark appraisal of the off-field situation at Ibrox by Walter Smith.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

A stunning free-kick in the 83rd minute by the returning Neymar gave a revamped Brazil a 1-0 friendly victory over a fierce Colombia side in a bad-tempered friendly here on Friday.

The Guardian - Sport

The notoriously fiery-tempered fourth son of Gaddafi is now 35 and an accomplished western businessman, having earned an MBA in shipping economics and logistics at Copenhagen Business School.

The Guardian - Opinion

For a while the game seemed to be heading towards a bad-tempered draw until Sebastian Giovinco came off the bench to score, with Giorgio Chiellini compounding Milan's misery after the visiting defender Philippe Mexes was sent off.

The Guardian - Sport

Goals from Jimmy Abdou and Magaye Gueye settled a bad-tempered clash which looks certain to spell the end of Wigan's stay in the Championship.

The Guardian - Sport

Dazed and submerged comically in some mud, he sees God – who, in this film, is represented by a mean-tempered 11-year-old boy.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tempered" to convey a sense of moderation or balance, particularly when discussing emotions, policies, or outcomes. For example, "The company's enthusiasm for the new product launch was tempered by concerns about production costs."

Common error

Avoid using "tempered" when you simply mean 'reduced' or 'decreased'. "Tempered" implies a balancing effect, not just a reduction in quantity or intensity.

Linguistic Context

"Tempered" functions primarily as an adjective, describing a state of being moderated or balanced. Ludwig's examples show its use in modifying nouns like 'ambition', 'optimism', and 'disappointment', adding nuance to their meaning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "tempered" signifies moderation or balance, adding nuance to descriptions of feelings, opinions, or actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct and it's frequently used across various contexts, especially in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science domains. While "tempered" is a versatile word, it's crucial to use it appropriately. Overlap with similar alternatives such as "moderated", "mitigated", or "softened" exists, but remember that using "tempered" implies a balancing effect. Therefore, it is important to choose the words wisely depending on the context you intend to deliver.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moderated

Emphasizes a controlled reduction in intensity or severity.

mitigated

Focuses on alleviating or lessening the negative impact of something.

softened

Suggests a decrease in harshness or intensity, making something gentler.

alleviated

Highlights the relief or reduction of suffering or difficulty.

restrained

Implies a conscious effort to control or limit something.

balanced

Indicates that something is counteracted by an opposing force, resulting in equilibrium.

controlled

Suggests a deliberate act of managing or regulating something.

curbed

Implies a restriction or limitation on growth or activity.

lessened

Simply means reduced in size, amount, intensity, or degree.

eased

Indicates a reduction in pressure, tension, or pain.

FAQs

How can I use "tempered" in a sentence?

You can use "tempered" to describe something that has been moderated or balanced, for example: "His anger was "tempered" by his sense of responsibility".

What are some alternatives to "tempered"?

Some alternatives to "tempered" include "moderated", "mitigated", or "softened", each carrying slightly different nuances.

Is it correct to say "tempered enthusiasm"?

Yes, "tempered enthusiasm" is a correct and common usage. It suggests that enthusiasm is present but restrained or balanced by other considerations.

What's the difference between "tempered" and "unrestrained"?

"Tempered" implies moderation and balance, while "unrestrained" suggests a lack of control or limitation. They are antonyms, representing opposite qualities.