columnists

noun

plural of columnist
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 Championship rings are not used as a measuring stick only by overcaffeinated fans and simpleminded columnists and talk-show hosts. — Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 30 July 2026 The essay and a follow-up went viral and were cited by columnists at The New York Times and The Washington Post. — Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 19 July 2026 In these essays, our columnists follow their curiosity, and explore important but not necessarily answerable scientific questions. — Quanta Magazine, 13 July 2026 Our columnists are ready to unknot your interpersonal complications. — Washington Post Staff, Washington Post, 7 July 2026 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for columnists
  1. writers
  2. authors
  3. reporters
  4. journalists
Noun
  • Our writers are not flying into a city for a weekend to check out what others have already reported or posted on Instagram.
    — Liz Johnson, USA Today, 29 July 2026
  • Rushdie, who was about to speak on writers’ safety, was slashed 15 times in front of a stunned audience.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 July 2026
Definition of writers
Noun
  • The results, if confirmed, could force archaeologists to reevaluate the total population of the Amazon before Spanish and Portuguese colonization, the authors write in the study.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 29 July 2026
  • The authors noted that vessels stuck in this area carried biofouling organisms from different parts of the world and are now acquiring the same from the Gulf region.
    — Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 29 July 2026
Definition of authors
Noun
  • Daily newspapers keep scores of advance obituaries on file so reporters aren’t scrambling on deadline when an important person in the community dies.
    — Suzanne Van Atten, AJC.com, 26 July 2026
  • The Giants had shielded them from reporters until Saturday, when the team gave The Athletic permission to ask them a few questions with Villegas providing the translation.
    — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 26 July 2026
Definition of reporters
Noun
  • More than 10 explosions were heard in a row, the journalists reported, adding that the intensity of the blasts triggered car alarms on the streets.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The dinner in April devolved into chaos after authorities say Cole Allen opened fire inside the Washington Hilton hotel, where thousands of journalists and guests gathered for the annual celebration of the First Amendment.
    — Fritz Farrow, ABC News, 25 July 2026
Definition of journalists

Browse Nearby Words

columnist
columnists
columns
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Columnists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/columnists. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on columnists

Nglish: Translation of columnists for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of highfalutin

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All