extremity
noun
ex·trem·i·ty
ik-ˈstre-mə-tē 
plural extremities
1
a
: the farthest or most remote part, section, or point
the island's westernmost extremity
b
: a limb of the body
especially
: a human hand or foot
2
a
: extreme danger or critical need
b
: a moment marked by imminent destruction or death
3
a
: an intense degree
the extremity of his participation—
Saturday Rev.
Saturday Rev.
b
: the utmost degree (as of emotion or pain)
4
: a drastic or desperate act or measure
driven to extremities
Synonyms
Examples of extremity in a Sentence
The extremity of her grief is impossible to imagine.
made offers of aid to the refugees, and of asylum in extremity
Recent Examples on the Web
One firefighter is being treated for a burn on the lower extremities, and the other is being treated for severe dehydration.
—Andrea Klick, Kansas City Star, 23 May 2024
The baby remains 'in critical condition' The baby was shot at least four times in his lower extremities and continues to recover after undergoing at least three operations at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Surprise officials said as of Monday.
—Coleby Phillips, The Arizona Republic, 21 May 2024
But its exterior isn’t boastful with overbuilt extremities.
—James Raia, The Mercury News, 19 May 2024
The extremity of suffering on display here makes for difficult viewing, scarcely leavened by the expressionistic beauty of its presentation.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 15 May 2024
However, until now, these devices were limited to solely imaging the brain, extremities, or single organs, Udunna Anazodo, an assistant professor of neurology and neurosurgery at McGill University in Montreal who did not take part in the work, notes in a review of the new study.
—IEEE Spectrum, 15 May 2024
An autopsy later revealed that Grayson had blunt-force injuries to her head, torso, and extremities.
—Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 2 May 2024
The Kronos’ knack for tempering musical extremity with a gentle insistence on open-minded inquiry remains unchanged, and has been a central part of their appeal.
—Luke Schulze, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2024
They are most often found on the face and buttocks but can also appear on the extremities.
—Elizabeth Woolley, Verywell Health, 15 Apr. 2024
Andrea Klick, Kansas City Star, 23 May 2024
The baby remains 'in critical condition' The baby was shot at least four times in his lower extremities and continues to recover after undergoing at least three operations at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Surprise officials said as of Monday.
—Coleby Phillips, The Arizona Republic, 21 May 2024
But its exterior isn’t boastful with overbuilt extremities.
—James Raia, The Mercury News, 19 May 2024
The extremity of suffering on display here makes for difficult viewing, scarcely leavened by the expressionistic beauty of its presentation.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 15 May 2024
However, until now, these devices were limited to solely imaging the brain, extremities, or single organs, Udunna Anazodo, an assistant professor of neurology and neurosurgery at McGill University in Montreal who did not take part in the work, notes in a review of the new study.
—IEEE Spectrum, 15 May 2024
An autopsy later revealed that Grayson had blunt-force injuries to her head, torso, and extremities.
—Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 2 May 2024
The Kronos’ knack for tempering musical extremity with a gentle insistence on open-minded inquiry remains unchanged, and has been a central part of their appeal.
—Luke Schulze, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2024
They are most often found on the face and buttocks but can also appear on the extremities.
—Elizabeth Woolley, Verywell Health, 15 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'extremity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near extremity
Cite this Entry
“Extremity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extremity. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
extremity
noun
ex·trem·i·ty
ik-ˈstrem-ət-ē
plural extremities
1
: the farthest limit, point, or part
2
: an end part of a limb of the body (as a hand or foot)
3
: an extreme degree (as of emotion or pain)
Medical Definition
extremity
noun
ex·trem·i·ty
ik-ˈstrem-ət-ē
plural extremities
1
: the farthest or most remote part, section, or point
2
: a limb of the body
especially
: a human hand or foot
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