Definition of extravagantnext
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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 One way to think about Mahler’s extravagant 90-minute exercise in his search for life’s meaning is as an exercise in attaining optimism in the face of tragedy. Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2026 The company has deals with many studios as well, as filmmakers try to generate more extravagant shots at lower costs. Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 4 Aug. 2026 The era is remembered as a golden age of prosperity, paired with a thriving art and culture scene—Toulouse-Lautrec posters, the Eiffel Tower (built in 1889), extravagant fashion, the Moulin Rouge, and the flourishing Impressionist art world. R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Like Darvish, Machado and Scherzer, Skubal represents an extravagant rental. Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for extravagant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extravagant
Adjective
  • Our health care system is wasteful, costly and complicated and desperately needs reform.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Many come in numerous pill packets, which some users feel is wasteful.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • This past weekend saw Monterey Car Week at perhaps its most excessive ever.
    Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The ranchers said the park service saddled them with excessive rules and regulations.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Above and below him on our list sit the two most expensive shot-stoppers of all time, whose big-money moves were followed by contrasting fortunes.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • As luxury becomes both more ubiquitous and more expensive, being desirable without being everywhere could prove a valuable position to hold.
    Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Madrid asked everyone involved to move with extreme discretion.
    Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • This problem is anticipated to worsen as more AI providers adopt watermarking, creating a fertile environment for scams and deception, thus users are urged to exercise extreme caution.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • As luxury becomes both more ubiquitous and more expensive, being desirable without being everywhere could prove a valuable position to hold.
    Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • To further complicate things, baseball is heading toward a labor fight in which owners are aiming to swap short-term financial pain for cost caps that would make every team more valuable.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • And their friendship, a folie à deux spiral of insane ideas powered by ungodly quantities of pot, becomes akin to a superpower.
    Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026
  • These mega facilities are popping up everywhere which means lots of people are spending insane money instead of pulling out the hose and bucket.
    Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • He was hurt by penalties on the opening drive and a costly third-down drop by Darius Cooper.
    Zach Berman, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Most introduced, nonnative plants do not become invasive, but those that do can cause significant, costly problems for landowners, communities, and land managers.
    Dr. Lauren Kurtz, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Gronkowski was one of dozens of A-listers from sports figures to musicians who joined the power couple for a lavish but intimate ceremony.
    Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Idea Public Schools, Texas’ largest charter school network, was investigated from 2021 to 2024 by the state’s chief charter school regulator amid allegations of lavish spending on private jets and parachute payments to leaders.
    Ellis Simani, ProPublica, 14 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Extravagant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extravagant. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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