Synonyms of centrist

centrist 1 of 2

adjective

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

• moderate
• central
• middle-of-the-road
• traditional
• orthodox
• neutral
• conventional
• rational
• reasonable
• sensible
• levelheaded
• nonrevolutionary

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• radical
• conservative
• extremist
• revolutionary
• ultra
• liberal
• excessive
• reactionary
• progressive
• rightist
• leftist
• subversive
• revolutionist
• violent
• inflammatory
• provocative
• fanatic
• exciting
• rabid
• provoking
• incendiary
• dissenting
• agitating
• inciting
• fomenting
• instigating
• rabble-rousing

centrist

2 of 2

noun

ˈsen-trist 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• moderate
• middle-of-the-roader
• reformer
• progressive
• compromiser
• accommodationist

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• extremist
• revolutionary
• conservative
• rightist
• revolutionist
• liberal
• leftist
• reactionary
• radical
• ultraist
• right-winger
• left-winger

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of centrist

Adjective

Trump officials have blasted centrist European governments for being too soft on Beijing but have said nothing about the populist right’s position on China. — Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 19 Sep. 2026

Because of the boldness of their political positions and doctrines, progressives can be seen as more charismatic than their more centrist counterparts. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Sep. 2026

Noun

Socialists want retribution after centrists sided with Republicans. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 4 Sep. 2026

In March, one of El-Sayed’s primary opponents, Mallory McMorrow, compared Piker to the white-supremacist influencer Nick Fuentes, and leaders of the centrist think tank Third Way wrote a column urging Democrats not to associate with Piker. — Elaine Godfrey, The Atlantic, 3 Sep. 2026