middle-of-the-road

1 of 2

adjective

mid·​dle-of-the-road ˈmi-dᵊl-əv-ṯẖə-ˈrōd How to pronounce middle-of-the-road (audio)
: standing for or following a course of action midway between extremes
especially : being neither liberal nor conservative in politics
middle-of-the-roader noun
middle-of-the-roadism noun

middle of the road

2 of 2

noun phrase

: a course of action or a standpoint midway between extremes

Examples of middle-of-the-road in a Sentence

Adjective a candidate with middle-of-the-road views on most hot-button issues
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Dolphins are middle-of-the-road blitz defense The Dolphins are tied for 12th in the league in blitz rate at 28.2%. Gqlshare, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2024 Allred has so far been running a thread-the-needle campaign that seeks to keep the Democratic base in his tight grip while not alienating independents and middle-of-the-road Republicans who might not want to award Cruz six more years in the Senate. Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 25 Oct. 2024
Noun phrase
Picture a bus just stopping in the middle of the road and letting everybody get out to take a picture. Shannon Carlin, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2024 Zoom in: Our average first fall freeze is middle of the road for U.S. states, while some cities like Denver expected it earlier this month and New Orleans' could arrive on Dec. 22. Alex Fitzpatrick, Axios, 15 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for middle-of-the-road 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1894, in the meaning defined above

Noun Phrase

1891, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of middle-of-the-road was in 1891

Dictionary Entries Near middle-of-the-road

middle name

middle-of-the-road

middle of the road

Cite this Entry

“Middle-of-the-road.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/middle-of-the-road. Accessed 10 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

middle-of-the-road

adjective
mid·​dle-of-the-road
ˌmid-ᵊl-əv-t͟hə-ˈrōd
: standing for or following a course of action midway between extremes
especially : being neither liberal nor conservative in politics
middle-of-the-roader
-ˈrōd-ər
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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