SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

middle-of-the-road

adjective

Definition of middle-of-the-road

:standing for or following a course of action midway between extremes; especially :being neither liberal nor conservative in politics

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middle-of-the-roader

play \-ˈrō-dər\ noun

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middle-of-the-roadism

play \-ˈrō-ˌdi-zəm\ noun

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First Known Use of middle-of-the-road

1894

middle-of-the-road Synonyms

Synonyms

central, centrist, middle-of-the-road

Antonyms

extremist, radical, revolutionary, revolutionist, ultra

Related Words

conventional, nonrevolutionary, orthodox, traditional; levelheaded, rational, reasonable, sensible; neutral

Near Antonyms

excessive; conservative, reactionary, rightist; leftist, liberal, progressive; fanatic (or fanatical), rabid, subversive, violent; agitating, exciting, fomenting, incendiary, inciting, inflammatory, instigating, provocative, provoking; rabble-rousing; dissenting

middle of the road

Definition of middle of the road

:a course of action or a standpoint midway between extremes

First Known Use of middle of the road

1891

MIDDLE-OF-THE-ROAD Defined for English Language Learners

middle-of-the-road

adjective

Definition of middle-of-the-road for English Language Learners

: supporting or following a course of action that is not extreme and that is acceptable to many different people

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See words that rhyme with middle-of-the-road Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for middle-of-the-road

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