centrist

noun

cen·​trist ˈsen-trist 

1

often Centrist : a member of a center party

2

: a person who holds moderate views

centrism

ˈsen-ˌtri-zəm 

noun

centrist adjective

Synonyms of centrist

• moderate
• middle-of-the-roader

Examples of centrist in a Sentence

The candidate hopes to appeal to centrists nationwide.

the centrists will most likely rally behind the candidate who favors reforming the government program—not abolishing it entirely

Recent Examples on the Web

Affordability emerged as the common theme of Democrats’ sweep of the November off-year elections, with progressive Zohran Mamdani of New York and centrists Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey and Abigail Spanberger of Virginia emphasizing its importance. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 16 Nov. 2025

These moderate lawmakers, including Elissa Slotkin, Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill, were military or intelligence veterans who ran as pragmatic centrists in competitive districts. —Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Nov. 2025

Back in 2017, the GOP’s push to dismantle Obamacare imploded in the Senate after 20 House Republicans defected, centrists and conservatives alike. —Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 12 Nov. 2025

Pro-Israel groups, including AIPAC and The United Democracy Project, spent millions in Democratic races in 2024, in many cases supporting more centrist, pro-Israel candidates against left-wing challengers who took pro-Palestinian positions. —Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1