columnist

noun

Definition of columnistnext
as in writer
a person who writes a newspaper or magazine column The columnist is known to take provocative positions that often shape the opinions of her readers. a gossip columnist

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of columnist One of Bilton and Weiss’s signature new on-air hires is the conservative writer Ross Douthat, formerly an opinion columnist for the Times. — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026 In 2001, the brilliant columnist Robert Lipsyte wrote a seminal column for The New York Times on the ugly status of college sports in American higher education. — Bruce Svare, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2026 For the past couple of months, the Editorial Board and a veritable horde of guest columnists have been fixated on the mayor and his stance on Israel. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 14 Oct. 2026 Philip Martin is a columnist and critic for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. — Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for columnist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for columnist
  1. writer
  2. reporter
  3. author
  4. journalist
  5. novelist
Noun
  • In 2020, the New York Times identified a network of 1,300 news sites that paid freelance writers to produce biased content for Republican groups and corporate public relations firms.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Between 2024 and 2026, first-time directors or writers made more than a third of Netflix’s Korean titles.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of writer
Noun
  • Watt joined play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson after Tony Romo went on leave following his July 23 arrest in Wisconsin.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • According to one of the student reporters, SB Nation’s Testudo Times journalist Nolan Rogalski, he and Jude Wilkenfeld believed they were permitted to stand outside the football complex because Maryland is a public university.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of reporter
Noun
  • The model-cum-founder and chief executive officer of the Furtuna Skin beauty brand, olive oil sommelier and children’s book author shares her Wildly Potent Kitchen recipes using the oil sourced from her family estate in Sicily.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Theranos whistleblower Tyler Shultz and Bad Blood author John Carreyrou have both weighed in, and Fortune has questioned whether her new persona distracts from the real story.
    — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of author
Noun
  • Kagame has led the country for decades, and his government has long been accused of abuses over its treatment of political opponents, journalists and other critics.
    — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026
  • If the report is so defective that nobody should rely on it, release it alongside the state’s criticisms and let lawmakers, journalists, insurance experts and Floridians examine both.
    — Matthew T. Christ, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of journalist
Noun
  • An avid reader, Dua Lipa sat down for a chat at the London Literature Festival 2026 in conversation with moderator and novelist Zadie Smith and poet Mustafa about all things books at the Royal Festival Hall yesterday in London.
    — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 25 Oct. 2026
  • In an interview for the Common Reader, novelist Brandon Taylor cited Philip Glass as his main musical tool while writing Real Life.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of novelist

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Cite this Entry

“Columnist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/columnist. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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