Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

middle ground

noun
|Updated on: 21 Jun 2018

Definition of middle ground

1 : a standpoint or area midway between extreme or opposing positions, options, or objectives
2 : middle distance 1

See middle ground defined for English-language learners

See middle ground defined for kids

Examples of middle ground in a Sentence

  1. The judge of the case chose a middle ground between harshness and leniency.

  2. Both sides in this debate need to do more to establish some middle ground.

Recent Examples of middle ground from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'middle ground.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of middle ground

1752

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

middle ground Synonyms

Synonyms

golden mean, mean, medium, middle, midpoint;

Near Antonyms

maximum, utmost;

minimum;

Related Words

arithmetic mean, average;

median, norm, par, standard;

Phrases

middle of the road;

MIDDLE GROUND Defined for English Language Learners

middle ground

noun

Definition of middle ground for English Language Learners

  • : a position or set of opinions that is acceptable to many different people

Learn More about middle ground

  1. See words that rhyme with middle ground Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for middle ground

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up middle ground? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

notorious

play

widely and unfavorably known

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. asylum 'protection from arrest and extradition given especially to political refugees'

  2. insubordinate 'disobedient to authority'

  3. promulgate 'to make known by open declaration'

  4. epochal 'momentous or unparalleled'

  5. clemency 'merciful treatment of someone who could be given harsh punishment'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

middle ground

Test Your Vocabulary

Words for Summer: A Quiz

  • a-closeup-of-a-sunflower
  • Which of the following words means “of or relating to summer”?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games