centrist
Americannoun
adjective
noun
Other Word Forms
- centrism noun
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
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Dianne Feinstein (1933–2023) Tribute List
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Sandra Day O'Connor (1930–2023) Tribute List
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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.
This was a genuinely awkward moment for a governor who had pitched herself as a pragmatic centrist, and she paid for it in the headlines.
From Salon • Apr. 15, 2026
“This is unacceptable blackmail,” said Christophe Grudler, a centrist member of the European Parliament.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026
The leader of the centrist Horizons party has said it would be hard to sustain his presidential hopes next year if he fails to win another term as mayor.
From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026
Under current rules, farmers can only shoot wolves if they attack animals inside a protected enclosure -- a restriction centrist President Emmanuel Macron's government said would now be relaxed.
From Barron's • Feb. 16, 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.
