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
Freddie Clayton, NBC News, 7 Sep. 2024
However, there’s at least as big a risk his leadership would instead affirm conservatives’ misgivings while also seeding new distrust among Democrats and centrists who typically have higher levels of confidence in these institutions — just furthering the polarization health doom loop.
—Keren Landman, Vox, 27 Nov. 2024
The Heritage Foundation was founded in 1973, the brainchild of conservatives who believed then-President Nixon was too much of a welfare-state centrist.
—Samantha Riedel, Them, 1 Nov. 2024
While campaigning for 2023’s parliamentary elections, the liberal centrist Tusk was critical of the previous right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) government for presiding over this increase, while moderating his rhetoric on the matter.
—Frey Lindsay, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for centrist 
Noun
Macron’s centrists have previously allied with the right-wing Republicans while in power, so Barnier will most likely count on the support of Macron — who appointed him — and his centrist alliance.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC News, 7 Sep. 2024
However, there’s at least as big a risk his leadership would instead affirm conservatives’ misgivings while also seeding new distrust among Democrats and centrists who typically have higher levels of confidence in these institutions — just furthering the polarization health doom loop.
—Keren Landman, Vox, 27 Nov. 2024
The Heritage Foundation was founded in 1973, the brainchild of conservatives who believed then-President Nixon was too much of a welfare-state centrist.
—Samantha Riedel, Them, 1 Nov. 2024
While campaigning for 2023’s parliamentary elections, the liberal centrist Tusk was critical of the previous right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) government for presiding over this increase, while moderating his rhetoric on the matter.
—Frey Lindsay, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for centrist
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Cite this Entry
“Centrist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/centrist. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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