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
Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 15 Jan. 2026
But even centrist Democrats are skeptical such a deal can be made and believe the most pragmatic option is to fund DHS on a stopgap bill, otherwise known as a continuing resolution.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Anthony Izaguirre, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for centrist
Adjective
Menin, a moderate Upper East Side Democrat, is seen as likely to be a centrist check on Mayor Mamdani’s administration.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 15 Jan. 2026
But even centrist Democrats are skeptical such a deal can be made and believe the most pragmatic option is to fund DHS on a stopgap bill, otherwise known as a continuing resolution.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Noun
Hochul, a centrist from Buffalo, faces challenges from both her political left and right in this year’s election.
—Anthony Izaguirre, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for centrist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for centrist
Adjective
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The fiscally moderate Lamont has frustrated many of his fellow Democrats in the legislature’s majority in recent years by his reluctance to ease budget caps to permit greater spending on social services, health care, education, municipal aid and other core programs.—
John Moritz,
Hartford Courant,
3 Feb. 2026
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People who consume more dietary fiber, which is abundant in whole grains, have a lower risk of Type 2 diabetes and death from any cause, based on moderate-quality research.—
Michael I Goran,
The Conversation,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Born in Rockhampton, in central Queensland, Australia, her first job was working for the Australian government in compliance, across Brisbane and Sydney.—
Kati Chitrakorn,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
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With the arrival of Lent, millions of Catholics around the world begin a period of reflection and spiritual preparation leading up to Holy Week, the central moment of the Christian faith that commemorates the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.—
Nadia Cantú,
AZCentral.com,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Centrist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/centrist. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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