centrist

or Cen·trist

[ sen-trist ]

/ ˈsɛn trɪst /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR centrist ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

(especially in continental Europe) a member of a political party of the Center; moderate.

adjective

of or relating to centrists or to their political views; middle-of-the-road.

RELATED WORDS

center, interface, midway

Nearby words

Origin of centrist

From the French word centriste, dating back to 1870–75. See center, -ist

Related formscen·trism, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for centrism

The plain fact of the matter is centrism works nowhere in America.
Reality Check: There Are No Swing Voters|Goldie Taylor|November 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Then came accusations of centrism—now a dirty word in a party with an energized left flank.
How the Left Cut Down a Democratic Frontrunner|David Freedlander|May 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
With a Hillary Clinton candidacy more likely than not, centrism and triagulation will be the order of the day.
Hillary Clinton Vs. the GOP Boys’ Club: Fighting for the Female Vote|Lloyd Green|October 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Although few would have predicted it in 1992, Hillary has become the preeminent symbol of Democratic centrism.
Hillary Clinton’s Big Challenges in 2016 Will Come From the Left|Peter Beinart|August 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST

If Hillary represents the restoration, she would be bringing back what was once regarded as a brand of Democratic centrism.
The Hillary Fantasy|Howard Kurtz|November 21, 2011|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for centrism

centrist

/ (ˈsɛntrɪst) /

noun

a person holding moderate political views

Derived Formscentrism, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for centrism

centrism

1935, from centre + -ism (also see centrist).

centrist

1872, from French centriste, from centre (see center (n.)). Originally in English with reference to French politics; general application to other political situations is from 1890.

Where M. St. Hilaire is seen to most advantage, however, is when quietly nursing one of that weak-kneed congregation who sit in the middle of the House, and call themselves "Centrists." A French Centrist is--exceptis eoccipiendis--a man who has never been able to make up his mind, nor is likely to. ["Men of the Third Republic," London, 1873]