Definition of extravagantnext
1
2
3

Synonym Chooser

How is the word extravagant different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of extravagant are excessive, exorbitant, extreme, immoderate, and inordinate. While all these words mean "going beyond a normal limit," extravagant implies an indifference to restraints imposed by truth, prudence, or good taste.

extravagant claims for the product

When is excessive a more appropriate choice than extravagant?

While the synonyms excessive and extravagant are close in meaning, excessive implies an amount or degree too great to be reasonable or acceptable.

excessive punishment

When would exorbitant be a good substitute for extravagant?

The synonyms exorbitant and extravagant are sometimes interchangeable, but exorbitant implies a departure from accepted standards regarding amount or degree.

exorbitant prices

In what contexts can extreme take the place of extravagant?

While in some cases nearly identical to extravagant, extreme may imply an approach to the farthest limit possible or conceivable but commonly means only to a notably high degree.

extreme shyness

Where would immoderate be a reasonable alternative to extravagant?

In some situations, the words immoderate and extravagant are roughly equivalent. However, immoderate implies lack of desirable or necessary restraint.

immoderate spending

When is it sensible to use inordinate instead of extravagant?

The meanings of inordinate and extravagant largely overlap; however, inordinate implies an exceeding of the limits dictated by reason or good judgment.

inordinate pride

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of extravagant Russell turned the story into an extravagant examination of religious hysteria and political power, with stark white sets by Derek Jarman and an avant-garde score by Peter Maxwell Davies. — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026 Known for its dark humor and groundbreaking CGI, Death Becomes Her astounds with ornate design detail and extravagant furnishings. — Kelly Allen, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026 Rush funneled $145 million into wire transfers to fund an extravagant lifestyle. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026 For a curate, James was also rather extravagant, keeping a pack of hunters while his wife kept a fashionable carriage. — Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for extravagant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extravagant
Adjective
  • Supporters say the measure aims to cut wasteful government spending by requiring audits for new state special taxes.
    — Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Congressional Republicans got rid of the EV tax credit last year after long arguing that markets, not the government, should influence what Americans drive, and dubbed the tax credit wasteful spending.
    — Willa Rubin, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • During their interviews, Haddock said the researchers found a lack of recognition by firefighters that their consumption levels were considered excessive.
    — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Inland, southern San Bernardino County faces at least a 40% chance of excessive rain that could result in flash flooding through Saturday night, said Julie Phillipson, lead meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Las Vegas.
    — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Narrowing the spread also weakens the incentive to steer patients toward costlier drugs and to acquire physician practices and infusion clinics — the very behaviors that have made care more expensive.
    — Casey B. Mulligan, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The problem is that these systems are slow, expensive and don’t scale.
    — Reynald Fasciaux, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Shipping costs have become so extreme that oil producers and even commodities traders are looking to own their own tankers to control the expenses.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Following the original movie’s unique approach to the slasher genre that put the audience in the killer’s perspective, the sequel will expand on Johnny’s lore and deliver more brutally extreme and creative kills.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Regional authorities said that the entire caper was conducted within three minutes and that the thieves targeted the most valuable paintings in the museum, which occupies the French old master’s one-time residence.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Bassetti argued that the company’s scale represented an increasingly valuable asset for streamers.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Derek wants to hear Julia audibly breathing next week, which is both a hilarious and insane request.
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Those questions triggered some insane accusations from Aces fans regarding the Fever fan and their fanbase.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Their first loss of the season came at the hands of unranked rival Oklahoma and two costly interceptions by Arch Manning contributed to the Longhorns' 27-24 defeat.
    — Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Turning the park into an upscale golf course will mean costlier fees and a likely loss of public space.
    — Matthew Daly, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The deep crimson drapes, white tablecloths, and understated gold accents at T’ang evoke a lavish Chinese mansion.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Oct. 2026
  • As a whole, the ballet’s arc can feel unfocussed, arhythmic—some parts overstuffed with action, others failing to fill with expressive movement Joby Talbot’s lavish score.
    — Hannah Aizenman, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Extravagant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extravagant. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!