centrist

noun

cen·​trist ˈsen-trist How to pronounce centrist (audio)
1
often capitalized : a member of a center party
2
: a person who holds moderate views
centrism noun
centrist adjective

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
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Both present themselves as kitchen-table centrists with extensive military and national security experience. Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 26 Oct. 2025 Cuomo, a centrist, has cast himself as the only candidate who can beat Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist and state assemblymember who shocked the political establishment by soundly defeating the former governor in the June primary. Anthony Izaguirre, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025 At the same time, the state assemblyman's calls to raise taxes on the wealthy and intense criticisms of the Israeli government's military actions in Gaza have unnerved some centrists and conservatives. Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025 Tan referred to himself as a moderate or centrist. Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for centrist

Word History

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of centrist was in 1872

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Cite this Entry

“Centrist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/centrist. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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