straddlers
Those spanning both sides
Straddlers are people or things that straddle—occupying positions on both sides of a boundary, fence, or divide.
The term often carries a hint of criticism, suggesting someone unwilling to commit: The straddlers in Congress refused to take a clear position on the bill.
In more neutral contexts, straddlers may simply span categories or territories without belonging fully to either.
Refusing to take sides
- vacillationInability to choose
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- ambivalenceConflicting emotions coexisting
- hesitationDelay from uncertainty
indecisiveness · equivocation · noncommittal · dithering · flip-flopping · oscillation · hedging · shilly-shallying
Extending across something
- bridgingConnecting separated things
- overlappingCovering part of another
- astrideWith legs spanning
- bifurcatedDivided into two branches
split · divided · borderline · liminal · threshold · in-between · crossover · hybrid
Intermediate position between extremes
- mediationIntervention to resolve conflict
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- bridge-buildingEstablishing connections between estranged parties
- balancingAchieving equal distribution
both-sides · diplomacy · moderation · centrism · give-and-take · reconciliation · halfway · in-between
Opposition between parties
- dilemmaForced choice between undesirables
- tornPulled into pieces
- stressPressure, mental or vocal
- discomfortMild physical or mental distress
unease · tug-of-war · pressure · ambivalent · predicament · quandary · squeeze · bind
fence-sitting
Refusing to take sides
- vacillationInability to choose
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- ambivalenceConflicting emotions coexisting
hesitation · indecisiveness · equivocation · noncommittal · dithering · flip-flopping · oscillation · hedging · shilly-shallying · waffling
spanning
Extending across something
- bridgingConnecting separated things
- overlappingCovering part of another
- astrideWith legs spanning
bifurcated · split · divided · borderline · liminal · threshold · in-between · crossover · hybrid · blended
middle-ground
Intermediate position between extremes
- mediationIntervention to resolve conflict
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- bridge-buildingEstablishing connections between estranged parties
balancing · both-sides · diplomacy · moderation · centrism · give-and-take · reconciliation · halfway · in-between · triangulation
conflict
Opposition between parties
discomfort · unease · tug-of-war · pressure · ambivalent · predicament · quandary · squeeze · bind
straddlerspartisans
Staunch factional supporters
deciders · true believers · zealots · committers · diehards
straddlerspartisans
Staunch factional supporters
loyalists · true believers · tribalists · party faithful · ideologues
- straddle jumpLeap with legs split sideways