centrist

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

centrism

2 of 2

noun (2)

cen·​trism ˈsen-ˌtri-zəm 

plural -s

: a political philosophy of avoiding extremes of right or left

centrist

ˈsen-trist 

adjective

Synonyms of centrist

Noun (1)

• moderate
• middle-of-the-roader

Examples of centrist in a Sentence

Noun (1)

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

Noun

Both are moderates, and the race was not a proxy fight in the party’s deepening feud between progressives and centrists. — Jonathan J. Cooper, Fortune, 23 July 2026

But the entire argument about Obama’s ties to Stevens is one that centrists relish. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 15 July 2026

The centrists, meanwhile, will likely need her to hold the National Future at bay. — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 13 July 2026

Someone like the centrist Representative Jared Golden—who has recently taken himself out of contention for the job—or Mills. — Elaine Godfrey, The Atlantic, 9 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

centr- + -ism

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1