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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

The man stood in the middle of the road in decadent Beverly Hills, gawking at one of those only-in-L.A. streetscapes.

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

Ma looks slight, forlorn, standing in the middle of the road.

From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes

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