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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Recent Examples of centrist
Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
On healthcare, the centrist Democratic group Third Way wants to ensure the party moves beyond Medicare-for-All.
—Joseph Choi, The Hill, 13 Jan. 2026
Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 12 Jan. 2026
In the House, four centrist Republicans broke with GOP leadership and joined forces with Democrats to force a vote that could come as soon as January on a three-year extension of the tax credits.
—Ali Swenson, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for centrist
Adjective
Bryan, instead, lays out an implicitly centrist reading months ahead of a full lyric sheet.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
On healthcare, the centrist Democratic group Third Way wants to ensure the party moves beyond Medicare-for-All.
—Joseph Choi, The Hill, 13 Jan. 2026
Noun
If Democrats and Republicans offer Americans more of the same, the centrist Forward Party is well-positioned to gain momentum.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 12 Jan. 2026
In the House, four centrist Republicans broke with GOP leadership and joined forces with Democrats to force a vote that could come as soon as January on a three-year extension of the tax credits.
—Ali Swenson, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for centrist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for centrist
Adjective
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Even during moderate storms, auroras can appear as faint, gray or milky arcs to the naked eye, while appearing vivid in photographs.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Democrats hope Rob Sand, the lone Democrat in statewide office who is running for governor, will make the entire state more competitive with his appeal to moderate and conservative voters and his $13 million in cash on hand.—
Seung Min Kim,
Fortune,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The investigation ratcheted up an extraordinary clash between the nation's top central banker and the White House, which has urged the Fed to significantly reduce interest rates.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
28 Jan. 2026
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Place has come to be central in my conception of my second novel.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Centrist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/centrist. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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