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
The Athletic Nhl Staff, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
And what of a middle-of-the-road dweller like Matt Hasselbeck?
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026
By running as middle-of-the-road centrists.
—Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
But some form of change appears to be needed, with the Heat currently on track to be in the play-in tournament for a fourth straight year amid another middle-of-the-road season.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for middle-of-the-road
Adjective
While other teams at the bottom of the standings found clever ways to return better and more voluminous assets, Vancouver’s trade deadline performance was decidedly more middle-of-the-road.
—The Athletic Nhl Staff, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
And what of a middle-of-the-road dweller like Matt Hasselbeck?
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026
By running as middle-of-the-road centrists.
—Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
But some form of change appears to be needed, with the Heat currently on track to be in the play-in tournament for a fourth straight year amid another middle-of-the-road season.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for middle-of-the-road
Recent Examples of Synonyms for middle-of-the-road
Adjective
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The state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Forest Fire Danger Report lists wildfire danger as high or moderate for much of the state.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
21 Apr. 2026
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The system is expected to bring moderate rainfall to Sacramento, Modesto, Merced, Fresno and San Luis Obispo.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Thematic ambition, a sense of the something to be expressed beyond a central romance, rivalry, or farce, propels modern musical hits too, as in Hairspray, or Wicked, or (no duh) Hamilton.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
21 Apr. 2026
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With the backing of payments giant Stripe, Tempo is attempting to become a central player in making stablecoins mainstream.—
Jack Kubinec,
Fortune,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
That strategy emphasized heavy diversification into illiquid alternative assets — such as private equity, venture capital and real estate — over traditional stocks and bonds.—
Terry Savage,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
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Additionally, unlike traditional bleaching which tends to give fabrics a flat look, Zero allows marbling.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
21 Apr. 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 23 Apr. 2026.
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