as in moderate
avoiding major social change or extreme political ideas
several centrist candidates were elected, apparently in a reaction against the extremists
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in middle-of-the-roader
a person who holds moderate views
the centrists will most likely rally behind the candidate who favors reforming the government program—not abolishing it entirely
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of centrist
Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
Macron, Carney, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese are savvy, centrist politicians.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2025
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
Rather than a right/left divide on the role of government, the main debate going forward will be between centrists and populists.
—Allison Schrager, Twin Cities, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for centrist
Adjective
Democrats, meanwhile, are testing a centrist message with Spanberger, a moderate who served in a battleground House district from 2019 to 2025.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
Macron, Carney, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese are savvy, centrist politicians.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
But many voters in this heartland state remain pragmatic centrists, reflecting their Midwestern sensibilities.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
Rather than a right/left divide on the role of government, the main debate going forward will be between centrists and populists.
—Allison Schrager, Twin Cities, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for centrist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for centrist
Adjective
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Cotality reported that eight of the top 15 metro areas with the most homes at moderate risk for wildfire are in California, with the Los Angeles area holding the top spot.—
Kyle Reiman,
ABC News,
5 Sep. 2025
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As of Friday morning, the air quality was on the upper edge of moderate.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Forecasters watching the central and eastern North Pacific, and the Atlantic also noted that there was no tropical cyclone formation expected for the next seven days.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
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Deeper pitching concerns This has been the team’s central issue since July.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Centrist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/centrist. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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