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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in middle-of-the-roader
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of centrist
Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 26 June 2025
Could the Mooch complete his jester-to-statesman evolution by running as a charismatic centrist who can bring the U.S. into a post-partisan age?
—Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 2 July 2025
Even Kamala Harris, maybe especially Harris, fits that insider image, and certainly Gavin Newsom, despite zigzagging from centrist to pugilist, can’t forward his presidential ambitions as anything but old-guard.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025
So the intra-party battle continues between progressive backers of Mamdani, a 33-year-old state Assembly member and democratic socialist, and centrists such as Adams and Cuomo.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for centrist
Noun
Mamdani, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, represented the left of the candidate spectrum, with Cuomo, a centrist who appointed many Republicans to his administration, on its right.
—Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 26 June 2025
Could the Mooch complete his jester-to-statesman evolution by running as a charismatic centrist who can bring the U.S. into a post-partisan age?
—Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 2 July 2025
Even Kamala Harris, maybe especially Harris, fits that insider image, and certainly Gavin Newsom, despite zigzagging from centrist to pugilist, can’t forward his presidential ambitions as anything but old-guard.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025
So the intra-party battle continues between progressive backers of Mamdani, a 33-year-old state Assembly member and democratic socialist, and centrists such as Adams and Cuomo.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for centrist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for centrist
Adjective
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Current government health recommendations advise moderate exercise for at least 30 minutes most days of the week, and Zheng says that his study shows that even 15 minutes a day can provide benefits.—
Alice Park,
Time,
29 July 2025
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Adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity and two days of strength training a week, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
27 July 2025
Adjective
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And District 27 would capture much of the Coastal Bend and snake its way north and west and grab central Austin in a pincer grip.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
31 July 2025
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Seney, in the central UP, had a reading of 160, the highest measured in the state Wednesday morning.—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
31 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Centrist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/centrist. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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