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
Relevance
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
Tim Bajarin, Forbes.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Angel went for a respectful middle-of-the-road jab — complimenting her parenting and resilience, but maligning her for being petty.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 5 Jan. 2026
For a middle-of-the-road option that doesn't break the bank, this is a great choice.
—Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 3 Jan. 2026
Despite the fact that scientists believe the cosmos is packed with these middle-of-the-road black holes, they are rarely detected.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for middle-of-the-road
Adjective
Consolidation will be prevalent in 2026, with strong subscriptions taking over failing operations and most middle-of-the-road news dailies ceasing operations.
—Tim Bajarin, Forbes.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Angel went for a respectful middle-of-the-road jab — complimenting her parenting and resilience, but maligning her for being petty.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 5 Jan. 2026
For a middle-of-the-road option that doesn't break the bank, this is a great choice.
—Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 3 Jan. 2026
Despite the fact that scientists believe the cosmos is packed with these middle-of-the-road black holes, they are rarely detected.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for middle-of-the-road
Recent Examples of Synonyms for middle-of-the-road
Adjective
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Alzheimer’s disease can impair a person’s ability to recognize familiar places, and wandering can happen at any stage of the illness, though people in the moderate stages tend to be more likely to roam off.—
Panashe Matemba-Mutasa,
Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2026
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There is a moderate risk of rip currents at all Central Florida Atlantic beaches.—
Garfield Hylton,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Another union still in negotiations is Associated Administrators of Los Angeles, which represents principals, other school administrators, many middle managers and some central-office workers.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
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The 2nd District stretches from the central part of the state west to the Mississippi River and is considered a Democratic stronghold, setting Thompson up to win his 18th congressional term.—
JEFF AMY AND SOPHIE BATES THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The elevator delivers you to the lobby, where hanging textiles in warm ocher tones serve as the signature art piece, dyed using dorozome, a traditional mud-dyeing technique, with soil from the building site itself.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
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The board denied renewal of Green Dot Locke High charter by a 4-3 vote, citing lower performance compared to traditional schools.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 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 12 Mar. 2026.
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