extremism

1 of 3

noun (1)

ex·​trem·​ism ik-ˈstrē-ˌmi-zəm 

1

: the quality or state of being extreme

2

: advocacy of extreme measures or views : radicalism

extremist

ik-ˈstrē-mist 

noun or adjective

extremist

2 of 3

noun (2)

ex·​trem·​ist -ēmə̇st sometimes -em- 

plural -s

: an adherent or advocate of extremism

especially : radical

extremist

3 of 3

adjective

"

variants or less commonly extremistic

¦⸗(ˌ)⸗¦mistik

: of, relating to, or favoring extremism or extremists

Examples of extremism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

First and foremost, Osder and Youmans use Odeh’s murder as a lens through which to examine the militarization of Jewish extremism at home and abroad (with an emphasis on the emergence of ultra-nationalist JDL founder Meir Kahane). — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 30 Oct. 2026

Gerrymandering, it was now said, was one of the factors that was driving polarization and extremism in general. — J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026

His main challenger, former military chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot, leads a center-right opposition promising more diplomacy and less extremism. — Daniel Estrin, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026

Fleisher said that mass immigration had fueled Islamist extremism and unrest in parts of Europe, saying Israelis want to avoid similar developments. — Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

extreme entry 2 + -ist

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1865, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

extremism

noun

ex·​trem·​ism ik-ˈstrē-ˌmiz-əm 

1

: the quality or state of being extreme

2

: belief in and support for extreme ideas especially in politics

extremist

-məst 

noun or adjective