middle-of-the-road
Avoiding both extremes
Middle-of-the-road describes positions, tastes, or approaches that avoid extremes—moderate, conventional, centrist.
A middle-of-the-road politician takes few controversial stances.
Middle-of-the-road music appeals broadly without challenging anyone: Their playlist was safe, middle-of-the-road pop.
The phrase can imply blandness or lack of conviction: His middle-of-the-road stance satisfied no one.
One favoring middle positions
- balancedIn a state of equilibrium
- neutralNot favoring any side
- nonpartisanNot aligned politically
- temperateMild, avoiding extremes
impartial · unbiased · fair-minded · measured · judicious · reasonable · pragmatic · levelheaded
Careful to avoid risk
- conservativeCautious about altering customs
- risk-aversePreferring safety over uncertainty
- unadventurousAvoiding risk or novelty
- guardedWary and restrained
prudent · careful · low-risk · steady · reliable · stable · predictable · reserved
Of only moderate quality
- ordinaryStandard, unremarkable
- unremarkableNot worthy of comment
- commonplaceUnremarkable and frequent
- standardLevel of quality accepted
typical · mundane · humdrum · run-of-the-mill · garden-variety · vanilla · plain · prosaic
Widely admired by many
- conventionalFollowing accepted practices
- orthodoxConforming to established belief
- establishedFormally set up
- acceptedFormally agreed to
prevailing · traditional · dominant · widespread · familiar · customary · generic · uncontroversial
Shared position between parties
- settlementResolved dispute or colony
- conciliationResolving disputes through dialogue
- accordHarmony between parties
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
trade-off · resolution · mediation · concession · halfway · bargain · reconciliation · arbitration
centrist
One favoring middle positions
- balancedIn a state of equilibrium
- neutralNot favoring any side
- nonpartisanNot aligned politically
temperate · impartial · unbiased · fair-minded · measured · judicious · reasonable · pragmatic · levelheaded · dispassionate
cautious
Careful to avoid risk
- conservativeCautious about altering customs
- risk-aversePreferring safety over uncertainty
- unadventurousAvoiding risk or novelty
guarded · prudent · careful · low-risk · steady · reliable · stable · predictable · reserved · timid
mediocre
Of only moderate quality
- ordinaryStandard, unremarkable
- unremarkableNot worthy of comment
- commonplaceUnremarkable and frequent
standard · typical · mundane · humdrum · run-of-the-mill · garden-variety · vanilla · plain · prosaic · pedestrian
popular
Widely admired by many
- conventionalFollowing accepted practices
- orthodoxConforming to established belief
- establishedFormally set up
accepted · prevailing · traditional · dominant · widespread · familiar · customary · generic · uncontroversial · conformist
agreement
Shared position between parties
- settlementResolved dispute or colony
- conciliationResolving disputes through dialogue
- accordHarmony between parties
negotiation · trade-off · resolution · mediation · concession · halfway · bargain · reconciliation · arbitration · adjustment
- moderatesmoderates, centrists, independents, compromisers
- dullnessboring, boredom, monotony, dullness, banality
middle-of-the-roadfanatical
Extremely and uncritically devoted
extreme · rabid · zealous · immoderate · excessive
middle-of-the-roadavant-garde
Innovative cultural pioneers
experimental · edgy · cutting-edge · groundbreaking · unconventional
middle, middleman, middling, middles, middle-aged, middlemen, middlebrow, middleweight, middler