MIDDLE OF THE ROAD Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

middle-of-the-road 1 of 2

adjective

ˈmi-dᵊl-əv-ṯẖə-ˈrōd

as in moderate

avoiding major social change or extreme political ideas a candidate with middle-of-the-road views on most hot-button issues

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

middle of the road

2 of 2

phrase

as in middle

a middle point between extremes I'm in the middle of the road on that issue.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 middle-of-the-road

Adjective

While its roster did sport the Byrds, it was better known for middle-of-the-road pop fare by acts like Johnny Mathis and Tony Bennett. — Chris Morris, Variety, 22 June 2026 Fans are hoping for a more balanced product where the top spending teams, like the Dodgers who have won the last two World Series, don’t have the same advantage as teams with middle-of-the-road payrolls. — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 29 May 2026 Flexible moderates, roughly 35% of the survey’s respondents, are a middle-of-the-road group without strong political or religious motivations. — George E. Mitchell, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026 The organization clearly needs a youth infusion in the wings behind a stable starting offensive front, and Denver won’t be content to bring back the exact same middle-of-the-road TE room — Evan Engram, Adam Trautman, Nate Adkins and Lucas Krull — to Week 1 in 2026. — Luca Evans, Denver Post, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for middle-of-the-road

Recent Examples of Synonyms for middle-of-the-road

Adjective

The Ghost 17 style is available in that same all-black look and has moderate support and soft cushioning.

— Kaelin Dodge, InStyle, 6 July 2026
They were taken to the hospital, one with critical injuries and the others with moderate injuries.

— Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 6 July 2026

Definition of moderate

Adjective

The heart of the home features a large open living area with timber kitchen, central fire place, vaulted timber ceilings, and large floor-to-ceiling windows.

— Bridget Borgobello July 03, New Atlas, 4 July 2026
The province’s right to implement Islamic law was granted by Indonesia’s secular central government around 2005 as part of a peace deal to end a separatist insurgency.

— Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026

Definition of central

Browse Nearby Words

middle of nowhere

middle-of-the-road

middle of the road

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Style

“Middle-of-the-road.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/middle-of-the-road. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of middle-of-the-road

adjective

phrase

Example Sentences

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