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

Socialists want retribution after centrists sided with Republicans. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 4 Sep. 2026

In March, one of El-Sayed’s primary opponents, Mallory McMorrow, compared Piker to the white-supremacist influencer Nick Fuentes, and leaders of the centrist think tank Third Way wrote a column urging Democrats not to associate with Piker. — Elaine Godfrey, The Atlantic, 3 Sep. 2026

House Democratic leadership is vowing repercussions for two centrists who blindsided Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) by joining with Republicans on Tuesday to force a vote on condemning socialism. — Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 2 Sep. 2026

Thus far, Eisenkot, a classic centrist, has been blunt and sometimes caustic in making the case against the prime minister. — Amos Harel, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1