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
George E. Mitchell, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
Yet, unlike the middle-of-the-road duo, Fetterman does not wield his would-be leverage to score policy wins.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 26 Mar. 2026
The organization clearly needs a youth infusion in the wings behind a stable starting offensive front, and Denver won’t be content to bring back the exact same middle-of-the-road TE room — Evan Engram, Adam Trautman, Nate Adkins and Lucas Krull — to Week 1 in 2026.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 25 Mar. 2026
There’s also a middle-of-the-road view, where AI leads to more jobs over the long term but only after a very disruptive transition period.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for middle-of-the-road
Adjective
Flexible moderates, roughly 35% of the survey’s respondents, are a middle-of-the-road group without strong political or religious motivations.
—George E. Mitchell, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
Yet, unlike the middle-of-the-road duo, Fetterman does not wield his would-be leverage to score policy wins.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 26 Mar. 2026
The organization clearly needs a youth infusion in the wings behind a stable starting offensive front, and Denver won’t be content to bring back the exact same middle-of-the-road TE room — Evan Engram, Adam Trautman, Nate Adkins and Lucas Krull — to Week 1 in 2026.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 25 Mar. 2026
There’s also a middle-of-the-road view, where AI leads to more jobs over the long term but only after a very disruptive transition period.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for middle-of-the-road
Recent Examples of Synonyms for middle-of-the-road
Adjective
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Again, the researchers calculated case numbers for moderate, fast and slow growth scenarios based on cases imported from Ituri alone versus Ituri and Nord Kivu.—
Tanya Lewis,
Scientific American,
16 June 2026
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Currently areas south of I-80 are under a level 4 out of 5 moderate risk for severe weather Wednesday.—
Albert Ramon,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
Adjective
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The measure performed best in central and west Davis, continuing the pattern established on election night.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
17 June 2026
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Haaland, a 6-foot-5 striker who pulls his blond hair into a signature tight ponytail, has been central to that success, scoring more than 100 goals in four seasons.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
17 June 2026
Adjective
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The States has never been a traditional soccer-loving country, but Tuesday’s turnout provided more evidence there is a committed and passionate fanbase there.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
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The nine-time Grammy winner is surrounded by a collection of lion figurines, guitars, traditional hand drums and a piano.—
Kailyn Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Middle-of-the-road.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/middle-of-the-road. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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