as in moderates
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 centrists
The convergence of Abundance centrists and conservative environmentalists would seem to belie the ACC’s assertion that the environmental movement is dominated by radicals who would rather sabotage the American economy than accept any of the compromises necessary to achieve a prosperous future.
—
Gaby Del Valle, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
House Democrats are facing an internal split, with centrists who are circulating an alternative plan while remaining noncommittal or opposed to their leaders’ war powers measure.
—Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 5 Mar. 2026
But wait, here come the centrists to solve the riddle!
—Cerys Jones, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2026
By running as middle-of-the-road centrists.
—Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
Many Senate Democrats, including centrists who voted to reopen the government in November 2025, have come out against the DHS funding bill.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 27 Jan. 2026
During recent 11th-hour scrambles on the House floor, GOP leaders have had to assuage the concerns of protesting lawmakers, both centrists and hardliners, in order to move bills.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 19 Jan. 2026
Several centrists left for their two-week break seething after GOP leadership blocked their efforts to bring to the floor a vote on an Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidy extension.
—Sudiksha Kochi, The Hill, 5 Jan. 2026
Most of the Republicans vocalizing their disagreements are retiring, represent competitive districts or are perennial centrists.
—Sam Gringlas, NPR, 9 Dec. 2025
Gaby Del Valle, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
House Democrats are facing an internal split, with centrists who are circulating an alternative plan while remaining noncommittal or opposed to their leaders’ war powers measure.
—Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 5 Mar. 2026
But wait, here come the centrists to solve the riddle!
—Cerys Jones, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2026
By running as middle-of-the-road centrists.
—Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
Many Senate Democrats, including centrists who voted to reopen the government in November 2025, have come out against the DHS funding bill.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 27 Jan. 2026
During recent 11th-hour scrambles on the House floor, GOP leaders have had to assuage the concerns of protesting lawmakers, both centrists and hardliners, in order to move bills.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 19 Jan. 2026
Several centrists left for their two-week break seething after GOP leadership blocked their efforts to bring to the floor a vote on an Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidy extension.
—Sudiksha Kochi, The Hill, 5 Jan. 2026
Most of the Republicans vocalizing their disagreements are retiring, represent competitive districts or are perennial centrists.
—Sam Gringlas, NPR, 9 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for centrists
moderates
Noun
-
Frightened moderates begged the president to dump the idea.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Mar. 2026
-
While House Democrats did pass numerous bills to address these topics, Senate moderates proved difficult to persuade.—
Gary M. Segura,
The Conversation,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Centrists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/centrists. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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