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

Originally thought by analysts to be too liberal to be an effective leader, her legacy is ultimately that of a centrist and legislative pragmatist. —NPR, 6 Nov. 2025

But centrists responded by arguing that sparking a civil war over reopening the government wouldn’t help the Democratic Party in the long term. —Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2025

Mamdani’s unlikely rise gives credence to Democrats who have urged the party to embrace more progressive candidates instead of rallying behind centrists in hopes of winning back swing voters who have abandoned the party. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025

Both present themselves as kitchen-table centrists with extensive military and national security experience. —Zac Anderson, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1