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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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
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Recent Examples of centrist
Emily Hallas, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Feb. 2025
Republicans there — especially centrists like Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, who will chair the Appropriations Committee — have less appetite for giant spending cuts.
—New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Some centrists want more government regulation, while some on the right question whether health coverage is necessary at all.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 15 Dec. 2024
The development marks another boost for far-right lawmakers in Europe, where extreme political parties have gained momentum as incumbent centrists have struggled to build coalitions and hold on to power.
—Astha Rajvanshi, NBC News, 6 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for centrist
Noun
The lawmaker from Democratic-leaning Maine is known as a centrist in Congress who often defies the GOP.
—Emily Hallas, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Feb. 2025
Republicans there — especially centrists like Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, who will chair the Appropriations Committee — have less appetite for giant spending cuts.
—New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Some centrists want more government regulation, while some on the right question whether health coverage is necessary at all.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 15 Dec. 2024
The development marks another boost for far-right lawmakers in Europe, where extreme political parties have gained momentum as incumbent centrists have struggled to build coalitions and hold on to power.
—Astha Rajvanshi, NBC News, 6 Jan. 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 6 Mar. 2025.
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