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
They are most often found on the face and buttocks but can also appear on the extremities.
—Elizabeth Woolley, Verywell Health, 15 Apr. 2024
In the gunfire exchange, another officer sustained a gunshot wound to the lower extremity and at least six other people - five men and one woman - were injured, Miami-Dade Police Detective Alvaro Zabaleta said during the conference.
—USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2024
One Doral police officer was hit in the lower extremity during the exchange of gunfire.
—Chris Pandolfo, Fox News, 6 Apr. 2024
Related article Easter brunch shooting leaves 1 dead and 5 others wounded in Nashville, police say
One officer sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the lower extremity, according to Zabaleta.
—Sarah Dewberry, CNN, 6 Apr. 2024
Moreover, repetitive rapid finger tapping is a common test of fine motor control of the upper extremities as well as a standard means of assessing the potential effects of neurodegenerative disease and traumatic brain injury.
—Sabrina Sholts, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024
Focus on keeping extremities like toes and fingers warm so your kids will last longer on the slopes.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 28 Mar. 2024
With each inhale, hemoglobin passes through the lungs, picking up oxygen molecules and distributing them to the rest of your body, including your heart, brain, and extremities.
—Lizzy Briskin, SELF, 26 Mar. 2024
Garrone tilts the story gradually toward inconvenience, discomfort, and deprivation, then sends it free-falling, with stomach-lurching intensity, into extremity and despair.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2024
Elizabeth Woolley, Verywell Health, 15 Apr. 2024
In the gunfire exchange, another officer sustained a gunshot wound to the lower extremity and at least six other people - five men and one woman - were injured, Miami-Dade Police Detective Alvaro Zabaleta said during the conference.
—USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2024
One Doral police officer was hit in the lower extremity during the exchange of gunfire.
—Chris Pandolfo, Fox News, 6 Apr. 2024
Related article Easter brunch shooting leaves 1 dead and 5 others wounded in Nashville, police say
One officer sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the lower extremity, according to Zabaleta.
—Sarah Dewberry, CNN, 6 Apr. 2024
Moreover, repetitive rapid finger tapping is a common test of fine motor control of the upper extremities as well as a standard means of assessing the potential effects of neurodegenerative disease and traumatic brain injury.
—Sabrina Sholts, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024
Focus on keeping extremities like toes and fingers warm so your kids will last longer on the slopes.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 28 Mar. 2024
With each inhale, hemoglobin passes through the lungs, picking up oxygen molecules and distributing them to the rest of your body, including your heart, brain, and extremities.
—Lizzy Briskin, SELF, 26 Mar. 2024
Garrone tilts the story gradually toward inconvenience, discomfort, and deprivation, then sends it free-falling, with stomach-lurching intensity, into extremity and despair.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 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 23 Apr. 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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