centrist
Americannoun
adjective
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of centrist
From the French word centriste, dating back to 1870–75; see center, -ist
Explanation
A centrist is someone who has very moderate political views. Most centrists are against any big political shifts — either to the left or to the right. Some politicians like to describe themselves as centrists because it makes them sound very reasonable and balanced. In reality, centrists are rare in politics, since people tend to have strong opinions about issues including taxes, the size of government, and inequality. Centrist comes from the French centriste, ultimately from the Latin centrum, "center."
Vocabulary lists containing centrist
Red, White & Royal Blue
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Dianne Feinstein (1933–2023) Tribute List
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Sandra Day O'Connor (1930–2023) Tribute List
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Colombia's political culture had for decades often favoured centrist technocrats for the presidency.
From BBC • May 30, 2026
And while more centrist groups continue to favor the U.S. presence, Germans are increasingly moving on from the trans-Atlantic alliance.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026
She has been disavowed by lawmakers across the Democratic spectrum, from Blue Dog centrist Rep. Josh Gottheimer to democratic socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
From Slate • May 22, 2026
He served as secretary general of the Elysee Palace for a year and was before that chief of staff to centrist Gabriel Attal during his brief stint as prime minister in 2024.
From Barron's • May 20, 2026
Former Communists dominated the government until 1996, when they were swept from power by a fractious coalition of centrist parties.
From The 2003 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
