as in moderate
avoiding major social change or extreme political ideas
several centrist candidates were elected, apparently in a reaction against the extremists
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in reformer
a person who holds moderate views
the centrists will most likely rally behind the candidate who favors reforming the government program—not abolishing it entirely
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of centrist
Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
Their father, Grady Means, worked in the administration of President Gerald Ford as an assistant to Vice President Nelson Rockefeller, a political centrist.
—Alana Semuels, Time, 8 May 2025
Still, Europe’s centrists will take reassurance from Mr. Carney’s victory in Canada, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s convincing reelection last weekend.
—Ned Temko, Christian Science Monitor, 8 May 2025
However, centrists showed the most slippage, from a +2 percent net approval rating last month, to a -12 percent net approval rating this month.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for centrist
Noun
Vatican experts have considered Leo XIV more of a centrist than his liberal-leaning predecessor, but also mirrors Pope Francis’ championing of the poor.
—Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
Their father, Grady Means, worked in the administration of President Gerald Ford as an assistant to Vice President Nelson Rockefeller, a political centrist.
—Alana Semuels, Time, 8 May 2025
Still, Europe’s centrists will take reassurance from Mr. Carney’s victory in Canada, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s convincing reelection last weekend.
—Ned Temko, Christian Science Monitor, 8 May 2025
However, centrists showed the most slippage, from a +2 percent net approval rating last month, to a -12 percent net approval rating this month.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for centrist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for centrist
Adjective
-
This results in a moderate Cash-to-Assets Ratio of 11% (compared to 13.8% for S&P 500) How Resilient Is CRM Stock During A Downturn? CRM stock has experienced more severe impacts than the benchmark S&P 500 index during certain recent downturns.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
-
However, Kim has continued to struggle to expand support among moderate voters who have criticized his political evolution from a renowned progressive activist to a hard-right political figure with close political ties to the disgraced Yoon.—
Jong Eun Lee,
The Conversation,
29 May 2025
Adjective
-
That message is in part one of necessity, given that the threat of dramatically higher tariff rates is the central leverage the administration is using in the 18 separate bilateral trade talks that the administration says are underway.—
Elisabeth Buchwald,
CNN Money,
31 May 2025
-
The incident's central command constantly receives progress reports from firefighters on the ground.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
31 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Centrist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/centrist. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share