moderationist: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low / RareFormal / Historical / Academic
Quick answer
What does “moderationist” mean?
A person who advocates or practices moderation, especially in political, social, or personal habits.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who advocates or practices moderation, especially in political, social, or personal habits.
A term often applied to a political or social figure who takes a centrist, pragmatic, or cautious approach, avoiding extremes. Historically, also used for a member of a religious or political movement opposing radical change.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional difference in meaning. The term is equally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Mostly historical/academic. In British political history, it can refer to specific factions (e.g., 18th-century Whigs). In American discourse, it's a general label for a centrist.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary speech in both regions. Primarily found in historical texts or formal political analysis.
Grammar
How to Use “moderationist” in a Sentence
[be/describe as] a moderationist on [issue][act/argue/vote] like a moderationistthe moderationist faction/wing of the partyVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “moderationist” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The group moderationisted its stance before the election (archaic/very rare).
American English
- He was accused of moderationisting when a firm position was needed (archaic/very rare).
adverb
British English
- He argued moderationistically for incremental reform (extremely rare).
American English
- The policy was designed moderationistically to avoid backlash (extremely rare).
adjective
British English
- The moderationist wing of the party gained influence (rare).
American English
- Her moderationist approach appealed to independent voters (rare).
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially in corporate governance describing a board member opposing risky ventures.
Academic
Used in political science, history, or theology to classify ideological positions.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
A precise descriptor in historical analysis of political movements.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “moderationist”
- Misspelling as 'moderationalist' or 'moderatist'.
- Using it to mean 'someone who moderates a discussion' (that's a 'moderator').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very rare, formal, and often historical term. 'Moderate' is the common noun for a person.
A 'moderator' chairs or mediates a discussion. A 'moderationist' is a person whose personal ideology or practice is based on moderation, especially in politics.
Rarely, but it is possible (e.g., 'moderationist policies'). 'Moderate' is the standard adjective.
It depends on context. It can imply wisdom and pragmatism or, negatively, indecisiveness and a lack of principle, depending on the speaker's viewpoint.
A person who advocates or practices moderation, especially in political, social, or personal habits.
Moderationist is usually formal / historical / academic in register.
Moderationist: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɒdəˈreɪʃənɪst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɑːdəˈreɪʃənɪst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[He/she] is the very model of a moderationist (literary/archaic).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a politician named MOD who is RATION-ing out his opinions—not too much, not too little—he is a MOD-ERATION-IST.
Conceptual Metaphor
POLITICAL POSITION IS A LOCATION ON A SPECTRUM (a moderationist occupies the centre).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'moderationist' most accurately used?