centrist

noun

cen·​trist ˈsen-trist 

1

or less commonly 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

President Emmanuel Macron has installed a series of unpopular centrist loyalists as prime minister across his nine years in power. — Jenni Reid,chloe Taylor, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2026

Weird, since Prime Minister Jean Chretien was a pragmatic centrist and President Jacques Chirac was on the classic right. — Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026

Although Paz’s Christian Democratic Party lacks a majority in Congress, the centrist and right-wing lawmakers that dominate both chambers rallied behind the deal. — ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026

Future Caucus supports and mentors more than 2,000 young lawmakers, Republicans and Democrats, ranging from liberal to centrist to conservative. — The Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1