middle-of-the-road

[ mid-l-uhv-thuh-rohd ]

/ ˈmɪd l əv ðəˈroʊd /

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See synonyms for: middle-of-the-road / middle-of-the-roader on Thesaurus.com

adjective

favoring, following, or characterized by an intermediate position between two extremes, especially in politics; moderate.

of, relating to, or describing a type of popular music that avoids extremes of style and is catchy and tuneful enough to have broad appeal. Abbreviation: MOR

noun

Also called easy listening. popular music having comparatively conventional, melodic qualities and hence having broad commercial appeal. Abbreviation: MOR

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of middle-of-the-road

An Americanism dating back to 1890–95

OTHER WORDS FROM middle-of-the-road

middle-of-the-roader, nounmiddle-of-the-roadism, noun

Words nearby middle-of-the-road

middleman, middle management, Middlemarch, middlemost, middle name, middle-of-the-road, Middle Palaeolithic, Middle Palisade, middle passage, Middle Path, Middle Persian

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use middle-of-the-road in a sentence

It was just something he felt he had to say to have credibility with middle-of-the-road voters.
The GOP’s 20-Year War on Health Care|Michael Tomasky|July 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
My two favorite tracks on the LP are the only two that successfully avoid this middle-of-the-road approach.
Robin Thicke’s ‘Paula’ Is What You Shouldn’t Do When You Get Dumped|Andrew Romano|June 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Middle-of-the-road voters just stopped buying right-wing fear-mongering.
Why Republican Efforts to Block Obama Won’t Work This Time|Michael Tomasky|December 16, 2012|DAILY BEAST
They used code for where to meet, and chose middle-of-the-road hotels.
Lance Armstrong’s Teammate Tells All: ‘The Secret Race’ By Tyler Hamilton|The Daily Beast|September 8, 2012|DAILY BEAST

The idea of peace based on a two-state arrangement has become a boring, middle-of-the-road stance in Israel.
This Headline is About Very Important Quiet|Gershom Gorenberg|August 13, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Fusion controlled the convention, voting down the "Middle-of-the-Road" group that adhered to independence.
The New Nation|Frederic L. Paxson
For in 1912 Wilson had been in effect the middle-of-the-road candidate, the conservative liberal.
Woodrow Wilson's Administration and Achievements|Frank B. Lord and James William Bryan
Present day chemists would acquiesce in this statement after reading Mitchill's "middle-of-the-road" arguments.
Priestley in America|Edgar F. Smith

British Dictionary definitions for middle-of-the-road

middle-of-the-road

adjective

not extreme, esp in political views; moderate

of, denoting, or relating to popular music having a wide general appeal

Derived forms of middle-of-the-road

middle-of-the-roader, 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

middle-of-the-road

Origin of middle-of-the-road

OTHER WORDS FROM middle-of-the-road

Words nearby middle-of-the-road

Words related to middle-of-the-road

How to use middle-of-the-road in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for middle-of-the-road

Derived forms of middle-of-the-road