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
In these essays, our columnists follow their curiosity, and explore important but not necessarily answerable scientific questions.
—
Quanta Magazine, 20 Apr. 2026
Our columnists differ over the quality of the field and the excitement quotient of a race that has yet to capture voter attention.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
The students worked on the story with former USA TODAY personal finance columnists John Waggoner and Sandy Block, who are volunteer YMG editors.
—Zoe Ligairi, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
Angering politicians or columnists is one thing.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
Newspaper columnists blasted the deal.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
This was the Sex and the City era, back when people made loads of money as columnists or working in fashion PR.
—Daisy Jones, Vogue, 26 Mar. 2026
Today’s guest columnists are professors John Cairney and Rick Burton.
—Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 21 Mar. 2026
Unlike reporters, columnists are allowed to include their opinions.
—Marsha Sutton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
Quanta Magazine, 20 Apr. 2026
Our columnists differ over the quality of the field and the excitement quotient of a race that has yet to capture voter attention.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
The students worked on the story with former USA TODAY personal finance columnists John Waggoner and Sandy Block, who are volunteer YMG editors.
—Zoe Ligairi, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
Angering politicians or columnists is one thing.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
Newspaper columnists blasted the deal.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
This was the Sex and the City era, back when people made loads of money as columnists or working in fashion PR.
—Daisy Jones, Vogue, 26 Mar. 2026
Today’s guest columnists are professors John Cairney and Rick Burton.
—Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 21 Mar. 2026
Unlike reporters, columnists are allowed to include their opinions.
—Marsha Sutton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for columnists
Noun
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Fiction written by very young writers, even the best ones, is almost never good.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
23 Apr. 2026
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Thousands of actors, directors, writers and other entertainment workers have signed an open letter opposing the deal, arguing that further consolidation of the media industry will hurt creators and consumers.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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As the study authors stated, the historical sources on the Roman Empire typically don’t include information about the provinces far from the capital.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Apr. 2026
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Why royalties don't always add up In theory, authors earn additional money through royalties once book sales exceed the advance.—
Josh Rivera,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Her mother previously told reporters her daughter had a boyfriend named David.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
23 Apr. 2026
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Their attorney, Anthony Prince, couldn't attend the protest but spoke to reporters on the phone.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Throughout the new series, Mars will be joined by historians, journalists and podcasters, as well as individuals with personal connections to the stories being told.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Apr. 2026
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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.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Columnists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/columnists. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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