extreme

adjective ex·treme \ ik-ˈstrēm \

|Updated on: 11 Jun 2018

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Examples: extreme in a Sentence

Definition of extreme

1 a : existing in a very high degree

extreme poverty

b : going to great or exaggerated lengths : radical

went on an extreme diet

c : exceeding the ordinary, usual, or expected

extreme weather conditions

2 archaic : last

3 : situated at the farthest possible point from a center

the country's extreme north

4 a : most advanced or thoroughgoing

the extreme political left

b : maximum

5 a : of, relating to, or being an outdoor activity or a form of a sport (such as skiing) that involves an unusually high degree of physical risk

extreme mountain biking down steep slopes

b : involved in an extreme sport

an extreme snowboarder

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extremeness

noun

See extreme defined for English-language learners

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Examples of extreme in a Sentence

The plant is sensitive to extreme heat and cold.
They are living in extreme poverty.
She went on an extreme diet.
Many thought that the punishment was too extreme for the crime.
The plan was rejected as too extreme.
This is an extreme example of what can happen when a company grows too quickly.
He has extreme opinions when it comes to politics.
Members of the extreme right opposed the legislation.

Recent Examples of extreme from the Web

But with an estimated 86 million people in Nigeria living in extreme poverty in 2013, according to the World Bank, most people here struggle to put three square meals on the table.

— jenni marsh, CNN, "Our children's plastic lives seen through lunches," 7 June 2018
Take a look at the most extreme facts about Phoenix heat and how to deal with the hot temperatures.

— brieanna j frank, azcentral, "Heat, air-quality warnings in effect Monday as Phoenix temps approach 110," 3 June 2018
Data from the Tulane Institute shows that in Chile and Argentina, taxes and transfers reduce extreme poverty by about two-thirds (although, to be sure, those countries start with a far lower level of poverty than Tanzania).

— charles kenny and justin sandefur, Vox, "A radical proposal to fight poverty in the developing world: tax the poor more than the rich," 24 May 2018
All that taken into consideration, the review here is that the Hangover will be a nice secondary ride to jump aboard when the line isn’t extreme.

— dan moran, Lake County News-Sun, "Moran: Great America's new Mardi Gras Hangover coaster 'a blood rush' for first-day riders," 22 May 2018
One need only practice pelvic tilts and butt lifts in front of a full-length mirror to see that, at the very least, people would give you strange looks and, at the most extreme, someone might dial 911 to report a pervert.

— marcy meffert, San Antonio Express-News, "The waiting is the hardest part," 11 May 2018
True to its name, this highlighter was the most extreme (read: sparkly) of the bunch, thanks to reflective micro-crystals with a disco-ball-like shine.

— jessica prince erlich, The Cut, "The 15 Best Highlighters," 11 May 2018
The 2012-16 drought was the most extreme on record.

— peter fimrite, San Francisco Chronicle, "Climate change ruining California’s environment, report warns," 9 May 2018
Bouts of extreme, hot weather can also mean bigger outbreaks.

— laura yan, Popular Mechanics, "Bugs Are Making Us Sicker Than Ever Before," 6 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'extreme.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of extreme

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin extremus, superlative of exter, exterus being on the outside — more at exterior

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First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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extreme Synonyms

Phrases

a bit much, over the top;

Synonym Discussion of extreme

excessive, immoderate, inordinate, extravagant, exorbitant, extreme mean going beyond a normal limit. excessive implies an amount or degree too great to be reasonable or acceptable.

- excessive punishment

immoderate implies lack of desirable or necessary restraint.

- immoderate spending

inordinate implies an exceeding of the limits dictated by reason or good judgment.

- inordinate pride

extravagant implies an indifference to restraints imposed by truth, prudence, or good taste.

- extravagant claims for the product

exorbitant implies a departure from accepted standards regarding amount or degree.

- exorbitant prices

extreme may imply an approach to the farthest limit possible or conceivable but commonly means only to a notably high degree.

- extreme shyness

extreme

noun

Definition of extreme

1 a : something situated at or marking one end or the other of a range

extremes of heat and cold

b : the first term or the last term of a mathematical proportion

c : the major term or minor term of a syllogism

2 a : a very pronounced or excessive degree

b : highest degree : maximum

3 : an extreme measure or expedient

going to extremes

— in the extreme

: to the greatest possible extent

See extreme defined for English-language learners

Examples of extreme in a Sentence

After spending lavishly for years, the company has now gone to the opposite extreme and has cut expenses drastically.
His mood changed from one extreme to the other.

Recent Examples of extreme from the Web

Ryan Murphy’s new show, Pose, takes place in that city of extremes, and focuses on the way the sectors of the city interact.

— refinery29.com, "Already Obsessed With Pose? Here's A History Of New York's Ball Culture," 4 June 2018
Colleen Sullivan’s softball career at Poway High has been of extremes.

— terry monahan, Pomerado News, "Junior year reboot pays dividends for softball slugger," 10 May 2018
Both of these extremes fit the narrative of a warmer world in which hot weather is more intense and rainstorms turn heavier.

— author: jason samenow, Anchorage Daily News, "While the US shivered, the rest of the world simmered in planet’s third-hottest April," 7 May 2018
Remember averages in New England are made up of extremes.

— david epstein, BostonGlobe.com, "A look at how hot it will get this week, and what that means for New Englanders," 30 Apr. 2018
James, thank you so much with your wealth of extremes, 35 years with the FBI.

— Fox News, "Candace Owens on challenging liberal orthodoxy," 26 Apr. 2018
California was a land of extremes well before humans started pumping carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, but Swain says that natural drought-to-deluge boomerang is already turning into whiplash.

— megan molteni, WIRED, "California’s Water Whiplash Is Only Going to Get Worse," 23 Apr. 2018
The only true hallmark of Bucks basketball this season is that both of these extremes will go unmitigated and unreconciled.

— rob mahoney, SI.com, "The Bucks Have Serious Soul-Searching To Do," 30 Mar. 2018
Modern basketball is a sport of extremes at the offensive end.

— phil anastasia, Philly.com, "All-South Jersey basketball teams led by Player of Year Dean Noll of Shawnee," 23 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of extreme

1555

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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EXTREME Defined for English Language Learners

extreme

adjective

Definition of extreme for English Language Learners

: very great in degree
: very serious or severe
: very far from agreeing with the opinions of most people : not moderate

extreme

noun

Definition of extreme for English Language Learners

: either one of two opposite conditions, feelings, positions, etc., that are thought of as being far from what is normal or reasonable
: an amount or degree that is far beyond what is normal or reasonable