via media
- noun
:
via media
- With each unopposed attack on a Catholic church, William's via media became more difficult to sustain.
Examples
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Few figures in the history of theology can boast as contested a legacy as Richard Hooker, the purported forefather of a protean via media that is redefined with dizzying frequency.
Blog text (23) -
Can there be a via media?
Academic text (2006) -
Because CNN is a left-wing enterprise and is being used by the current US administration to implement its foreign policy via media.
Blog text (3) -
By 1839, he realized that his search for a "via media" was implausible.
Academic text (1992) -
The via media is thus preferred by Descartes to the extremism he apparently felt in reading Machiavelli's book.
Academic text (1994) -
Ratzinger interprets this, quite reasonably, as an attempt by the pope to set forth a via media between two schools of thought that emerged during the deliberation on the document.
Academic text (2002) -
David R: To me, the distinction between the sacramentalism of Rome and the covenantalism of Geneva seems obvious, but if you want to see Calvin as striking a via media between Rome and Munster, I won't argue.
Blog text (26) -
In discussions about political reforms, many seek a via media that balances progressive and conservative views.
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The committee agreed to find a via media that would satisfy both parties and avoid conflict.
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Finding a via media between two opposing opinions can lead to more productive conversations.
Synonyms
363
2.5
An agreement where each side gives up something to reach a solution
6
3.9
A middle choice that pleases both sides
A policy of avoiding extremes in politics to keep balance
Antonyms
- Literature
62
7.4
Holding very strong political or religious beliefs and supporting actions that harm others
How Moderate
47
3.5
215
3.7
- Literature
25
7.2
14
8.1
- Literature
62
7.4
Surface Forms
Morphology
via + media
Although 'via' can mean 'by way of' in English, 'media' in ordinary English does not mean 'middle' (it usually refers to mass media or is the plural of 'medium'), and the phrase is a Latin loan meaning 'middle way'. The idiomatic sense 'a course between two extremes' is based on Latin morphology and historical usage rather than transparent composition from contemporary English senses, so a B1 learner who only knows the English meanings would not reliably derive the MWE meaning.
Etymology
Via media comes from Latin. via means 'road' and media means 'middle', so the phrase literally describes a 'middle road' between two extremes. That's why via media means 'a compromise' or 'a middle way'.