as in writers
a person who writes a newspaper or magazine column
The columnist is known to take provocative positions that often shape the opinions of her readers. a gossip columnist
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of columnists
Some of Hollywood’s most theatrical scandals were efficiently contained by press agents who nurtured their clout with cops and columnists alike.
—
Peter Bart, Deadline, 4 June 2026
The two are former columnists at The New York Times, and neither had broadcast television experience before arriving at CBS.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 2 June 2026
Walters is a columnists for CalMatters.
—Dan Walters, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2026
In these essays, our columnists follow their curiosity, and explore important but not necessarily answerable scientific questions.
—Quanta Magazine, 8 May 2026
Local residents and columnists have called for improvements, and the issue has drawn attention as the World Cup nears.
—Taylor Haught, Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2026
The Sun’s five-member editorial board consists of Jensen, publisher Trif Alatzas, opinion editor Philip Caldwell, and columnists Torrey Snow and Julian Baron.
—Lily Carey, Baltimore Sun, 28 Apr. 2026
The book centers on four gossip columnists — one male, James, and three women — drawn from Shuter’s years in the trade, including his stint as a host on VH1’s The Gossip Table.
—Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2026
Some newspapers run columnists whose voices support and reinforce the philosophy of the publishers; some run columnists that differ with them politically, philosophically, or both, to provide readers a choice of benchmarks against which to measure their own views.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
Peter Bart, Deadline, 4 June 2026
The two are former columnists at The New York Times, and neither had broadcast television experience before arriving at CBS.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 2 June 2026
Walters is a columnists for CalMatters.
—Dan Walters, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2026
In these essays, our columnists follow their curiosity, and explore important but not necessarily answerable scientific questions.
—Quanta Magazine, 8 May 2026
Local residents and columnists have called for improvements, and the issue has drawn attention as the World Cup nears.
—Taylor Haught, Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2026
The Sun’s five-member editorial board consists of Jensen, publisher Trif Alatzas, opinion editor Philip Caldwell, and columnists Torrey Snow and Julian Baron.
—Lily Carey, Baltimore Sun, 28 Apr. 2026
The book centers on four gossip columnists — one male, James, and three women — drawn from Shuter’s years in the trade, including his stint as a host on VH1’s The Gossip Table.
—Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2026
Some newspapers run columnists whose voices support and reinforce the philosophy of the publishers; some run columnists that differ with them politically, philosophically, or both, to provide readers a choice of benchmarks against which to measure their own views.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for columnists
Noun
-
And the indie is committed to connecting writers and editors who’ve been impacted by the carceral system with those who have not.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
That is always top of mind for writers like Ian Brennan, whose story about life and motivations of one of the most notorious murderers and grave robbers in American history was also an exploration of complex mental health struggles.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
The screwworm, the authors wrote, has caused immense suffering to the livestock for which humans have a responsibility to care.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
7 June 2026
-
Staying in the same geographic region, this anthology features stories by Swedish authors from the 1800s to the 1950s, many published for the first time in English.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Addressing reporters for the first time since The Associated Press projected a November runoff between her and Mayor Karen Bass, Raman said residents are losing faith in the city’s ability to solve even basic problems and are demanding a different approach.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
11 June 2026
-
Both of the accused will appeal the sentence within a month, a lawyer for one of the men, Choochat Kanpai, told reporters.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 June 2026
-
Nicaragua’s government has also imprisoned adversaries, religious leaders, journalists and more, then exiled them, stripping hundreds of their citizenship and possessions.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Columnists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/columnists. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
