MIDDLE OF THE ROAD Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

middle-of-the-road 1 of 2

adjective

ˈmi-dᵊl-əv-ṯẖə-ˈrōd

as in moderate

avoiding major social change or extreme political ideas a candidate with middle-of-the-road views on most hot-button issues

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

middle of the road

2 of 2

phrase

as in middle

a middle point between extremes I'm in the middle of the road on that issue.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of middle-of-the-road

Adjective

While its roster did sport the Byrds, it was better known for middle-of-the-road pop fare by acts like Johnny Mathis and Tony Bennett. — Chris Morris, Variety, 22 June 2026 Fans are hoping for a more balanced product where the top spending teams, like the Dodgers who have won the last two World Series, don’t have the same advantage as teams with middle-of-the-road payrolls. — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 29 May 2026 While discouraging teams from being truly awful has merit, this structure would retain the incentive for middle-of-the-road teams to become worse. — Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 17 Apr. 2026 The Clippers are middle-of-the-road. — Zach Harper, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for middle-of-the-road

Recent Examples of Synonyms for middle-of-the-road

Adjective

But doubling down on defensive moderate talking points and ignoring a disillusioned working class are no longer winnable strategies.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
For Russians themselves, these measures are a stark contrast to the moderate freedoms they were allowed before 2022, when the war began.

— Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of moderate

Adjective

Different research teams at OpenAI oversee different metrics, and are responsible for calculating and reporting them to a central team to publish.

— Emily Forlini, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026
Sustaining an aging arsenal The refurbishment matters because Minuteman III remains a central part of America’s nuclear deterrent.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of central

Adjective

For these brands, lab-grown is in the name, and their styles are more akin to traditional natural diamond brands.

— Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
Meanwhile, the business of journalism has changed so much financially, and a third of journalists don’t work for a traditional news organization.

— Jocelyn Noveck, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of traditional

Browse Nearby Words

middle of nowhere

middle-of-the-road

middle of the road

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Middle-of-the-road.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/middle-of-the-road. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of middle-of-the-road

adjective

phrase

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

matriculate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes