as in moderate
avoiding major social change or extreme political ideas
a candidate with middle-of-the-road views on most hot-button issues
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
middle of the road
2 of 2phrase
as in middle
a middle point between extremes
I'm in the middle of the road on that issue.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of middle-of-the-road
Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 18 Aug. 2025
The film, which also stars the singer-songwriter Halsey, received middle-of-the-road reviews from critics and barely made a dent with $500,000 in sales from 1,100 theaters.
—Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Yet just a few years ago, Arias was a middle-of-the-road midfielder for middle-of-the-road clubs in his homeland of Colombia.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2025
Meanwhile, brand deals are becoming a necessity for middle-of-the-road actors who are feeling the squeeze of studio consolidation with fewer available gigs.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for middle-of-the-road
Adjective
Fresno State is expected to be a middle-of-the-road Mountain West team.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 18 Aug. 2025
The film, which also stars the singer-songwriter Halsey, received middle-of-the-road reviews from critics and barely made a dent with $500,000 in sales from 1,100 theaters.
—Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Yet just a few years ago, Arias was a middle-of-the-road midfielder for middle-of-the-road clubs in his homeland of Colombia.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2025
Meanwhile, brand deals are becoming a necessity for middle-of-the-road actors who are feeling the squeeze of studio consolidation with fewer available gigs.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for middle-of-the-road
Recent Examples of Synonyms for middle-of-the-road
Adjective
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Cotality reported that eight of the top 15 metro areas with the most homes at moderate risk for wildfire are in California, with the Los Angeles area holding the top spot.—
Kyle Reiman,
ABC News,
5 Sep. 2025
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As of Friday morning, the air quality was on the upper edge of moderate.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Forecasters watching the central and eastern North Pacific, and the Atlantic also noted that there was no tropical cyclone formation expected for the next seven days.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
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Deeper pitching concerns This has been the team’s central issue since July.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This more traditional system is where Tottenham have ended up.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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At the same time, identity categories have become more fluid, and traditional sources of authority — religion, education, government — are more likely to be contested or distrusted.—
Christopher P. Scheitle,
The Conversation,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Middle-of-the-road.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/middle-of-the-road. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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