as in writers
a person who writes a newspaper or magazine column
The columnist is known to take provocative positions that often shape the opinions of her readers. a gossip columnist
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Recent Examples of columnists
Local residents and columnists have called for improvements, and the issue has drawn attention as the World Cup nears.
—
Taylor Haught, Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2026
The Sun’s five-member editorial board consists of Jensen, publisher Trif Alatzas, opinion editor Philip Caldwell, and columnists Torrey Snow and Julian Baron.
—Lily Carey, Baltimore Sun, 28 Apr. 2026
The book centers on four gossip columnists — one male, James, and three women — drawn from Shuter’s years in the trade, including his stint as a host on VH1’s The Gossip Table.
—Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2026
Some newspapers run columnists whose voices support and reinforce the philosophy of the publishers; some run columnists that differ with them politically, philosophically, or both, to provide readers a choice of benchmarks against which to measure their own views.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
In these essays, our columnists follow their curiosity, and explore important but not necessarily answerable scientific questions.
—Quanta Magazine, 20 Apr. 2026
Our columnists differ over the quality of the field and the excitement quotient of a race that has yet to capture voter attention.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
The students worked on the story with former USA TODAY personal finance columnists John Waggoner and Sandy Block, who are volunteer YMG editors.
—Zoe Ligairi, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
Angering politicians or columnists is one thing.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
Taylor Haught, Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2026
The Sun’s five-member editorial board consists of Jensen, publisher Trif Alatzas, opinion editor Philip Caldwell, and columnists Torrey Snow and Julian Baron.
—Lily Carey, Baltimore Sun, 28 Apr. 2026
The book centers on four gossip columnists — one male, James, and three women — drawn from Shuter’s years in the trade, including his stint as a host on VH1’s The Gossip Table.
—Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2026
Some newspapers run columnists whose voices support and reinforce the philosophy of the publishers; some run columnists that differ with them politically, philosophically, or both, to provide readers a choice of benchmarks against which to measure their own views.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
In these essays, our columnists follow their curiosity, and explore important but not necessarily answerable scientific questions.
—Quanta Magazine, 20 Apr. 2026
Our columnists differ over the quality of the field and the excitement quotient of a race that has yet to capture voter attention.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
The students worked on the story with former USA TODAY personal finance columnists John Waggoner and Sandy Block, who are volunteer YMG editors.
—Zoe Ligairi, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
Angering politicians or columnists is one thing.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for columnists
Noun
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How did you and your writers’ room think about maintaining that tight-rope act with Howard?—
Max Gao,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
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But the actors are also writers.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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This essay is part of a series developed in collaboration with World Business Chicago wherein accomplished authors envision what Chicago could and should look like in 2050.—
Jens Ludwig,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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Here is some sage advice for writers from Atlanta authors who have new books out this year.—
Suzanne Van Atten,
AJC.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Several members of Driggers’ family addressed reporters afterward.—
Jeffrey Collins,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
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Suing government agencies is not a first choice for most reporters and news organizations.—
Charles Ornstein,
ProPublica,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Read the accounts from other NPR journalists here.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
27 Apr. 2026
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The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Columnists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/columnists. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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