only a modicum of skill is necessary to put the kit together

Recent Examples on the Web

What Thoreau wanted was a spiritual or philosophical distance from society—and the retreat to Walden facilitated a modicum of non-participation. R.h. Lossin, The New York Review of Books, "The Revolutionary Thoreau," 4 Sep. 2020

The only other drug to show a modicum of effectiveness was remdesivir. Cassidy Morrison, Washington Examiner, "Stock markets hit record highs amid good news on coronavirus treatment," 2 Sep. 2020

Previous years saw a modicum of cooperation between the Greek and Turkish coast guards. Elena Becatoros, Star Tribune, "Minister: Over 10,000 migrants stopped from entering Greece," 2 Sep. 2020

The country is facing challenges that demand a modicum of trust, from the counting of ballots to the equitable distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine. Amy Davidson Sorkin, The New Yorker, "The Republicans’ Conspiratorial Convention," 30 Aug. 2020

And both have tried throughout Trump's tenure to be supportive allies of a president who is wildly popular with his Republican base while maintaining some modicum of independence. Meg Kinnard, Star Tribune, "South Carolina's Haley, Scott take spotlight at RNC," 25 Aug. 2020

When tempers rise, the arguments still play out with a modicum of political decorum. David Sims, The Atlantic, "What Happens When You Let 1,000 Teenage Boys Run a Government," 16 Aug. 2020

On the other hand, the significance of Thursday’s game could come down to something as simple as regaining even a modicum of familiarity. Alex Vejar, The Salt Lake Tribune, "Utah’s high school football opener between Herriman and Davis could be bellweather for rest of U.S.," 12 Aug. 2020

Some modicum of distance, however long the commute might be, enforced between work life and personal time. Cassie Werber, Quartz at Work, "Covid-19 upended the office, but it might have created something better," 9 Aug. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'modicum.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.