centrist

or Cen·trist

[ sen-trist ]

/ ˈsɛn trɪst /

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.

Nearby words

centriole, centripetal, centripetal force, centripetal nerve, centrism, centrist, centro-, centroacinar cell, centrobaric, centroclinal, centroid

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 centrist

Another dark horse, Tennessee Senator Al Gore, was finding little traction in his efforts to become a centrist alternative.
Want President Hillary? Then Primary Her|Jeff Greenfield|November 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The centrist group thinks they can build centrist grassroots army.
No Labels’ Bid For The Big Time|Ben Jacobs|September 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He is running as a centrist alternative to Tea Party-aligned GOP candidate Ben Sasse and Democrat Dave Domina, a trial lawyer.
Candidates in Maine, Nebraska, Massachusetts, and Washington, D.C., Challenge Republicans and Democrats Alike|Linda Killian|July 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Last month, the centrist Democratic group Third Way released a study called “The State of the Center.”
Conservatives Are So Conservative They Think the Congressional GOP Are Moderate Squishes|Michael Tomasky|June 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Webb believes he is just the sort of centrist leader who can break the Democrat-Republican stalemate in Washington.
Will It Be ‘President Jim Webb’?|Lloyd Grove|May 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Besides, Sid and I were the centrist party of two in our fresh-out-of-the-shell Place politics.
The Big Time|Fritz Reuter Leiber
Only on one of the Centrist benches was any sincere attention paid, like that of eager scholars to their master's explanations.
The conquest of Rome|Matilde Serao

British Dictionary definitions for centrist

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 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]