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
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Recent Examples of columnists
Our roster includes columnists like Sam Amick, Fred Katz, John Hollinger and Joe Vardon.
—
Jenny Catlin, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
The publication’s regular stable of columnists includes Tyler Cowen, an economist and podcaster; Matthew Continetti, the author of a book about the evolution of American conservatism; and Niall Ferguson, a British-American historian.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 6 Oct. 2025
Beat writer Jaylon Thompson joins columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian in the discussion.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
The Free Press also has columnists who write for most of our sections.
—Detroit Free Press, Freep.com, 27 Sep. 2025
Our opinion contributors and columnists discuss everything that Hoosiers are talking about right now with a more nuanced and personable voice.
—Kurtcia Collazo, IndyStar, 23 Sep. 2025
Many of the Post’s opinion columnists have departed as a result of Bezos’s moves.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
Two of the state’s biggest columnists jumped into the fray.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
Boy Scouts marched, as did fraternities, high-school classes, postmen, and newspaper columnists.
—Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 12 Aug. 2025
Jenny Catlin, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
The publication’s regular stable of columnists includes Tyler Cowen, an economist and podcaster; Matthew Continetti, the author of a book about the evolution of American conservatism; and Niall Ferguson, a British-American historian.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 6 Oct. 2025
Beat writer Jaylon Thompson joins columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian in the discussion.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
The Free Press also has columnists who write for most of our sections.
—Detroit Free Press, Freep.com, 27 Sep. 2025
Our opinion contributors and columnists discuss everything that Hoosiers are talking about right now with a more nuanced and personable voice.
—Kurtcia Collazo, IndyStar, 23 Sep. 2025
Many of the Post’s opinion columnists have departed as a result of Bezos’s moves.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
Two of the state’s biggest columnists jumped into the fray.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
Boy Scouts marched, as did fraternities, high-school classes, postmen, and newspaper columnists.
—Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for columnists
Noun
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The Catskills have always been a retreat—first for 19th-century painters and writers, later for city escapees chasing mountain air and summer swims.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Oct. 2025
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Production on season 4 is set to begin in 2026, but with no premiere date and the writers' room open, we're left with many questions about Yellowjackets' last chapter.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Past research in the Arctic has identified tens of thousands of methane seeps -- many of them linked to climate change impacts and the degradation of cryospheric caps, such as glacial ice, permafrost and gas hydrates, the authors said.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
11 Oct. 2025
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The authors also noted that larger studies are needed to confirm the results.—
Heather Jones,
Verywell Health,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The fiery exchange drew the attention of security guards, staffers and reporters, many of whom stood nearby, phones drawn, watching intently.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
11 Oct. 2025
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Within seconds of the helicopter entering the air, California Highway Patrol received a mayday call from the aircraft, Officer Michael Harper, a spokesperson for the CHP’s South Sacramento office, told reporters.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The uproar caused by the initial press conference that excluded female journalists was just one reminder of this.—
Happymon Jacob,
Time,
16 Oct. 2025
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The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Columnists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/columnists. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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