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 The day was hot and muggy, and late-nineteenth-century villas, however extravagant, don’t come with air-conditioning. — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026 With the addition, Bal Harbour Shops grows to 600,000 square feet, and fortifies its offering of many of the world’s most extravagant and coveted designer brands and white tablecloth dining. — David Moin, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026 Marysia enjoys occupying public space for extravagant reasons. — Olivia Kan-Sperling, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026 Kim can allay some frustrations by doling out luxury apartments, promotions, and access to extravagant lifestyles. — Jieun Baek, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for extravagant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extravagant
Adjective
  • The chief executive of California’s High Speed Rail Authority abruptly resigned amid intensifying scrutiny over cost overruns, project delays and wasteful expenses.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The goal is to save money, cut back on overconsumption and be more mindful of wasteful and unsustainable shopping habits.
    — Margaret Cirino, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The lack of transparency in the incentives’ application process, alongside excessive bureaucracy and uncertainty, remain issues, although Japanese industry folk have similar complaints about applying for export support.
    — Gavin J Blair, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The Wolf of Wall Street, the Leonardo DiCaprio and Margot Robbie movie about Belfort’s wild and excessive life as a New York stockbroker and boiler room boss, was released through Paramount Pictures.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 2 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Supporting Florida’s space industry does not need to be expensive.
    — Max Harden, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
  • With the absence of any major AI company and relatively expensive valuations, investors have picked markets such as South Korea and Taiwan over India, experts said.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Many of these materials are made from oil, which emits pollutants when burned, driving climate change and fueling extreme weather.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The flooding comes after extreme weather hit the Southwest throughout the week.
    — Ava Berger, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Researchers in Germany are testing two processes to recover valuable metals from old magnets, including a method that uses ammonium chloride instead of conventional hydrochloric acid.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
  • An outright ban on the use of the technology would remove a valuable tool only because some departments have used it carelessly.
    — Edward Longe, Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Cohen and Harwood grew up in Maryland, studying Top 40 hits and FL Studio tutorials; in some ways, this fun, formalist record—impeccable songcraft, insane sprezzatura—plays like a tribute to those days.
    — Samuel Hyland, Pitchfork, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Many have told me that Veronica Beard has copied more small brands, this is insane.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Sloppiness continues Penalties and costly mistakes continue to undermine Sumrall’s team.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The attacks have disrupted electricity and water supplies, halted business activity and forced residents to rely on costly alternatives, driving up prices.
    — Hamza Fahmy, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Crime, courts and policing A Glendale Botox doctor used $45 million in Medicare money to fund her lavish lifestyle, feds say.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026
  • But in the late 1800s, the city’s draw was healing mineral springs, not IPAs, which is why George Vanderbilt built his lavish 250-room French Renaissance chateau here.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Extravagant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extravagant. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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