Synonyms of centristnext
1
or less commonly Centrist : a member of a center party
2
: a person who holds moderate views
centrist adjective

Examples of centrist in a Sentence

The candidate hopes to appeal to centrists nationwide. the centrists will most likely rally behind the candidate who favors reforming the government program—not abolishing it entirely
Recent Examples on the Web
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Polls show Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition in a dead heat with his chief rival, the centrist Gadi Eisenkot. — Daniel Brook, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026 Eisenkot, the current leader of this electorate, has declared his personal opposition to a Palestinian state, as have Israel’s other centrist and conservative opposition figures. — Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026 Israel felt inescapable in the midterm primaries, especially for Democrats, where centrists and progressives clashed — memorably! — Caitlin Dewey, Vox, 22 Oct. 2026 With no party likely to win a majority, Netanyahu’s Likud and its far-right, ultra-Orthodox allies face centrist and left-wing challengers competing to assemble a governing coalition. — Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for centrist

Word History

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of centrist was in 1872

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Cite this Entry

“Centrist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/centrist. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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