mid·dle-of-the-road
ˈmi-dᵊl-əv-ṯẖə-ˈrōd 
: standing for or following a course of action midway between extremes
especially
: being neither liberal nor conservative in politics
: a course of action or a standpoint midway between extremes
Synonyms
Examples of middle-of-the-road in a Sentence
Adjective
a candidate with middle-of-the-road views on most hot-button issues
Recent Examples on the Web
Gqlshare, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2024
Allred has so far been running a thread-the-needle campaign that seeks to keep the Democratic base in his tight grip while not alienating independents and middle-of-the-road Republicans who might not want to award Cruz six more years in the Senate.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 25 Oct. 2024
Larry Olmsted, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Housing and medical costs were also middle of the road, which made retirement less burdensome for older people.
—Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for middle-of-the-road 
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.
Adjective
Dolphins are middle-of-the-road blitz defense The Dolphins are tied for 12th in the league in blitz rate at 28.2%.
—Gqlshare, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2024
Allred has so far been running a thread-the-needle campaign that seeks to keep the Democratic base in his tight grip while not alienating independents and middle-of-the-road Republicans who might not want to award Cruz six more years in the Senate.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 25 Oct. 2024
Noun phrase
This is a middle of the road do-it-all ski that can handle going off piste but also turns easily on groomers, with a medium turn radius and good carving grip at higher speeds.
—Larry Olmsted, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Housing and medical costs were also middle of the road, which made retirement less burdensome for older people.
—Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for middle-of-the-road
Dictionary Entries Near middle-of-the-road
Cite this Entry
“Middle-of-the-road.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/middle-of-the-road. Accessed 19 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share