middle ground

noun

1

: a standpoint or area midway between extreme or opposing positions, options, or objectives

The judge chose a middle ground between harshness and leniency.

2

: middle distance sense 1

Synonyms of middle ground

• middle

Examples of middle ground in a Sentence

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

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

Recent Examples on the Web

These earbuds give me a nice middle ground. —Ayana Underwood, Outside, 9 Dec. 2025

The move seeks to find a middle ground between those who oppose exports of any advanced AI chips and those who worry that restrictions will merely hand the market to Chinese competitors. —Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 9 Dec. 2025

However, occupying such a middle ground does not come without risks. —Alexander Smith, NBC news, 3 Dec. 2025

The wordplay is as colorful as the sonics are sedate, tag-team player parables sailing over production seeking a slippery middle ground between East and West Coast throwback jams. —Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1752, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for middle ground

• aboveground
• battleground
• belowground
• paperbound
• turnaround
• ultrasound
• underground
• wraparound
• abound
• aground
• around
• astound

Kids Definition

middle ground

noun

: a position midway between extreme or opposing points of view, choices, or objectives