as in moderate
avoiding major social change or extreme political ideas
several centrist candidates were elected, apparently in a reaction against the extremists
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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
Shira Efron, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2025
But the intent behind Alex helping the Iranian woman defect seems to mostly be that Alex, by centrist-liberal standards, looks very good in that moment.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025
Reuters, NBC news, 17 Sep. 2025
Ross, one of the Democrats to decline AIPAC money, is a relative centrist, according to a GovTrack scorecard, while Foushee and McGarvey, Kentucky’s only House Democrat, are in the middle of the pack ideologically.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for centrist
Adjective
Even centrist leaders who persistently oppose Netanyahu have come out strongly against recognition.
—Shira Efron, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2025
But the intent behind Alex helping the Iranian woman defect seems to mostly be that Alex, by centrist-liberal standards, looks very good in that moment.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
The election, which was re-run in May was ultimately won by pro-European centrist Nicusor Dan.
—Reuters, NBC news, 17 Sep. 2025
Ross, one of the Democrats to decline AIPAC money, is a relative centrist, according to a GovTrack scorecard, while Foushee and McGarvey, Kentucky’s only House Democrat, are in the middle of the pack ideologically.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for centrist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for centrist
Adjective
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He is seen as a younger, more moderate voice – having vowed to clean up politics, initiate discussions on constitutional reform and allow married couples to use separate surnames, something currently banned under law.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
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More broadly, the company’s margins are likely to improve as tariff tailwinds from last April moderate, according to Wells Fargo.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Ahead of this school year, MPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius moved some central office staff to classroom teaching positions to fill vacant roles.—
Kayla Huynh,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
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Van Hecke has put uncomfortable moments in the two games in September behind him, which preceded the win at Chelsea and provided a sniff of opportunity for Italian Diego Coppola, the right-sided central defender signed from Hellas Verona in the summer.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Centrist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/centrist. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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