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middle of the road

[mid-l-uhv-thuh-rohd] / ˈmɪd l əv ðəˈroʊd /
NOUN
moderate position
Synonyms
WEAK
center centrism middle course middle ground middle way midway via media
middle-of-the-road
ADJECTIVE
moderate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
balanced compromising
WEAK
cautious conservative controlled disciplined even impartial indifferent inexpensive midway mild modest neutral noncommittal nonpartisan not excessive on the fence reasonable straight
NOUN
moderate position
Synonyms
WEAK
center centrism middle course middle ground middle way midway via media

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.

The social media user said they were "stuck" in the middle of the road for more than 30 minutes.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

Trolley buses sputtered to a halt in the middle of the road.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 20, 2025

They stood blissfully in place in the middle of the road, planted like the palm trees above them.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 27, 2025

"We've seen all these middle of the road retailers struggle because they're neither one thing nor the other," says retail analyst Clare.

From BBC • Aug. 29, 2025

I’m so excited I have to stop myself from skipping and turning cartwheels in the middle of the road.

From "Dragons in a Bag" by Zetta Elliott

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