The relative modesty of individual apartments is offset by the grandeur of the public spaces.

We must also be careful not to take comfort in the relative modesty of the number of fatalities.

For starters, say goodbye to the peace dividend; the relative modesty of the post-cold war defense budget would be the first casualty, American officials and analysts agree.

The relative modesty of the right's political project leaves scope for human feeling.

Mr. Zaillian is unusual in many respects, not only for his relative modesty, but also for his loyalty.

Despite its relative modesty, this suite was one unmistakable confirmation of du Barry's privileged position.

And Proteus thought that the relative modesty of this claim tended to make it more credible.

A 'Laid-Back' Attitude If anything, Sampras's relative modesty, in a sport that tends to weed out mental shortcomings, may have inhibited his progress.

But the relative modesty of Mr. Clinton's proposed spending cuts is tempering the enthusiasm of business for the program.

Its relative modesty lends Mr. Schneider's deft, ingenuous performance an unexpected glow of innocence.