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
Times columnists sound off Shaikin suggested how the most iconic Dodger of all time — Pasadena’s Jackie Robinson — would have reacted.
—
Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
In these essays, our columnists follow their curiosity, and explore important but not necessarily answerable scientific questions.
—Quanta Magazine, 13 Feb. 2026
Last year, Bezos later shifted the strategy of the opinion pages, leading to an exodus of editors and columnists.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 7 Feb. 2026
Football fans and columnists point out the importance of club DNA and traditions with Barcelona and Ajax, but those are two clubs attempting to work to a much clearer set of principles refined by Johan Cruyff.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
The editorial page editor resigned and numerous columnists and reporters departed for other publications.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 30 Jan. 2026
Columns & Newsletters Ongoing commentary from our roster of columnists who interpret the ideas shaping the moment.
—Daphne Koller, Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026
Some of these new contributors are Free Press columnists.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
The four prominent columnists who only resigned from the Jewish Chronicle after it was caught publishing fabrications might always be remembered as shills for a genocidal regime.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
In these essays, our columnists follow their curiosity, and explore important but not necessarily answerable scientific questions.
—Quanta Magazine, 13 Feb. 2026
Last year, Bezos later shifted the strategy of the opinion pages, leading to an exodus of editors and columnists.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 7 Feb. 2026
Football fans and columnists point out the importance of club DNA and traditions with Barcelona and Ajax, but those are two clubs attempting to work to a much clearer set of principles refined by Johan Cruyff.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
The editorial page editor resigned and numerous columnists and reporters departed for other publications.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 30 Jan. 2026
Columns & Newsletters Ongoing commentary from our roster of columnists who interpret the ideas shaping the moment.
—Daphne Koller, Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026
Some of these new contributors are Free Press columnists.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
The four prominent columnists who only resigned from the Jewish Chronicle after it was caught publishing fabrications might always be remembered as shills for a genocidal regime.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for columnists
Noun
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Narratives by Black and Brown writers, stories shaped by queerness, and accounts informed by feminist critique now regularly find a place on bookstore shelves.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Feb. 2026
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Jacob and the Cineplex leadership team took measures to survive the pandemic impacts and later content supply disruptions in the wake of the 2023 Hollywood actors and writers strikes, before more recently riding the industry’s box office recovery to restore the company’s fortunes.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The authors of the October paper stress that coaches and players need more education about the possible hazards for carriers of the sick-cell trait.—
Roxanne Khamsi,
The Atlantic,
15 Feb. 2026
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Later, the authors of the current study decided to systematically search archival infrared data for signs of direct collapse.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Fake news is spreading fake reporters faster than any communications team on the planet could dispel it.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Feb. 2026
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But when pressed Thursday about the timing, funding and targets of the trip, officials offered few answers, ending the news conference without taking questions from reporters.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Job posts on Mercor can range widely, calling for everything from journalists to mechanics.—
Hadas Gold,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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That’s a demerit for journalists covering the Games, many of whom typically venture from sport to sport and venue to venue to report on the event’s full scope.—
Sara Germano,
Sportico.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Columnists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/columnists. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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