as in moderate
avoiding major social change or extreme political ideas
several centrist candidates were elected, apparently in a reaction against the extremists
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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
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Recent Examples of centrist
Lily Scherlis, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
The speaker had faced immense pressure from some on his right flank, which is typical for contentious bills, but also centrists — who typically back leadership on spending and governing issues.
—Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 26 Feb. 2025
Starmer, a centrist, will be in Washington on Thursday, following Monday's White House visit by French President Emmanuel Macron.
—Fatima Al-Kassab, NPR, 26 Feb. 2025
Image Image Rising to national prominence in the Senate, Mr. Boren became a centrist, allying himself on many issues with President Jimmy Carter, a Democrat, and Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, both Republicans.
—Robert D. McFadden, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for centrist
Noun
In this light, soft skills can be seen as a workplace corollary to centrists’ pleas for a right wing that doesn’t storm the Capitol and a left that doesn’t take up space on the campus lawn.
—Lily Scherlis, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
The speaker had faced immense pressure from some on his right flank, which is typical for contentious bills, but also centrists — who typically back leadership on spending and governing issues.
—Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 26 Feb. 2025
Starmer, a centrist, will be in Washington on Thursday, following Monday's White House visit by French President Emmanuel Macron.
—Fatima Al-Kassab, NPR, 26 Feb. 2025
Image Image Rising to national prominence in the Senate, Mr. Boren became a centrist, allying himself on many issues with President Jimmy Carter, a Democrat, and Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, both Republicans.
—Robert D. McFadden, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for centrist
Cite this Entry
“Centrist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/centrist. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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