Måttligare

måttligare is a Swedish comparative form of the adjective måttlig, meaning more moderate or temperate. It is used to describe something that is less extreme or less intense than another reference point, such as opinions, behavior, policies, or explanations.

In contemporary Swedish, the comparative can be formed in two common ways. The synthetic form måttligare is common in formal or literary contexts, while an analytical construction using mer måttlig is also widely understood and used in everyday speech. The choice between these forms often depends on tone, register, and regional preference. The superlative is typically expressed as mest måttlig or mest måttliga, with måttligast appearing less frequently and mainly in older texts.

Etymology wise, måttlig derives from mått, meaning measure, with the suffix -lig indicating a characteristic. The comparative måttligare preserves the sense of increasing moderation, aligning with analogous formations in related Germanic languages.

Usage notes: Måttligare is used when comparing degrees of moderation, for instance in politics, public discourse, climate discussions, or personal conduct. It signals a move toward restraint without claiming absolute restraint. In technical writing or formal debates, måttligare can help tone down rhetoric or proposals relative to a more extreme alternative.

Related noun: måttlighet denotes the quality of being moderate or temperate, while phrases such as på ett måttligare sätt can be used to describe doing something in a more moderate manner.

Examples:

- Hans uttalande blev måttligare efter kritiken.

- Vi bör vara måttligare i vår retorik.