mid·dle-of-the-road
ˈmi-dᵊl-əv-ṯẖə-ˈrōd 
: standing for or following a course of action midway between extremes
especially
: being neither liberal nor conservative in politics
: 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
Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
Consolidation will be prevalent in 2026, with strong subscriptions taking over failing operations and most middle-of-the-road news dailies ceasing operations.
—Tim Bajarin, Forbes.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Staff and Wire Reports, Boston Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
The recordings show an officer approaching an SUV stopped across the middle of the road, demanding the driver open the door and grabbing the handle.
—Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for middle-of-the-road
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Adjective
Rather than focus on market research or industry convention, a middle-of-the-road golfer worth north of $4 billion merely wanted to lower his scores.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
Consolidation will be prevalent in 2026, with strong subscriptions taking over failing operations and most middle-of-the-road news dailies ceasing operations.
—Tim Bajarin, Forbes.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Noun phrase
Video taken by bystanders show an officer approaching the SUV stopped across the middle of the road, demanding the driver open the door and grabbing the handle.
—Staff and Wire Reports, Boston Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
The recordings show an officer approaching an SUV stopped across the middle of the road, demanding the driver open the door and grabbing the handle.
—Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for 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 31 Jan. 2026.
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