extreme

adjective ex·treme \ ik-ˈstrēm \

Updated on: 17 Apr 2018

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

—

extremeness

noun

See extreme defined for English-language learners

See extreme defined for kids

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

Mr Gnanasara is a founder of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) or Buddhist Power Force, one of several extreme nationalist groups that champion the rights of the three-quarters of Sri Lankans who happen to be Sinhala-speaking Buddhists.

— The Economist, "Why South Asia’s majorities act like persecuted minorities," 12 Apr. 2018
Store them in a lidded straw basket that’s an elegant and less-extreme solution for creating more closet space.

— rachel waldman, Vogue, "19 Bins and Baskets to Get You Sorted While Spring-Cleaning," 12 Apr. 2018
Now imagine that a user is interested in content more extreme than Law and Order and Chicago sports.

— renee diresta, WIRED, "Up Next: A Better Recommendation System," 11 Apr. 2018
Akron RubberDucks offer extreme food The Akron RubberDucks always have creative menu items in Canal Park.

— marc bona, cleveland.com, "New ballpark food in Cleveland, Akron makes our WTAM food chat," 11 Apr. 2018
At the extreme end of this campaign is the design for the flagship McDonald’s in Chicago that aims to achieve LEED Platinum, the green building certification system’s highest level.

— nate berg, Curbed, "McDonald’s 2.0," 11 Apr. 2018
In more extreme situations, the heart can go into an irregular rhythm called atrial fibrillation.

— andrea k. mcdaniels, baltimoresun.com, "What is Graves' disease? A MedStar endocrinologist explains," 5 Apr. 2018
Shut off power lines at times of extreme fire danger.

— david r. baker, San Francisco Chronicle, "PG&E's wildfire plan: round-the-clock prediction and response center in S.F.," 22 Mar. 2018
That blaze and previous fires dating to mid-2016 set up the potential for extreme danger from storms.

— john antczak, Fox News, "Powerful storm threatens to swamp hard-hit California towns," 20 Mar. 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

See Words from the same year

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

Tod Williamson, who manages the facility, said Emerald Triangle growers went to extremes to carry gear to remote locations not easily detected by authorities.

— brad branan and monica vaughn, sacbee, "Forget the Emerald Triangle. The Central Coast is becoming California's weed hotspot | The Sacramento Bee," 11 Apr. 2018
The presence of traditional parties could act as a backstop to further shifts to political extremes.

— Bloomberg.com, "Italy’s League Reaches Out to Renzi’s Party for Votes," 3 Apr. 2018
Over time, young Americans have become more and more attracted to political extremes.

— mickey edwards, latimes.com, "Yascha Mounk's 'The People vs. Democracy' describes an America on the brink," 22 Mar. 2018
And while his rhetoric has escalated to even more rabid extremes in response to the electoral threat Baudet represents, there is also something impotent about it.

— chicagotribune.com, "The new Dutch disease is white nationalism," 20 Mar. 2018
This is a glaring omission from an agency that deals with anticipating and responding to weather extremes driven in part by a changing climate.

— umair irfan, Vox, "FEMA is preparing for the future. “Climate change” isn’t part of it.," 16 Mar. 2018
Fearing the stigma of gynecomastia, some men have gone to such extremes as flattening their chests with duct tape or wearing shirts that compress their chests and necks — often leaving unsightly scars, according to some cosmetic surgeons.

— eric pianin, Washington Post, "Why some men are asking for breast-reduction surgery," 6 Mar. 2018
Vincent was infamous for pushing himself to the extremes for his work, and by choosing this technique, Utterson explains, the filmmakers put themselves through a similarly punishing process.

— jackie mansky, Smithsonian, "How the Creators of Loving Vincent Brought the First Fully Painted Animated Film to Life," 20 Feb. 2018
Cleveland took its inconsistent defensive effort to new extremes this season, settling in as one of the out-and-out worst defensive teams in the league.

— rob mahoney, SI.com, "Will the Cavs' Dramatic Overhaul Save Their Season?," 8 Feb. 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

EXTREME Defined for Kids

extreme

adjective ex·treme \ ik-ˈstrēm \

Definition of extreme for Students

1 : very great in degree or severity

extreme heat

extreme poverty

2 : farthest away

the extreme edge

3 : more demanding or dangerous than normal

extreme sports

—

extremely

adverb

extreme

noun

Definition of extreme for Students

1 : something as far as possible from a center or from its opposite

extremes of heat and cold

2 : the greatest possible degree : maximum

He pushed the athletes to the extreme.

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extremeness

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extreme

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extreme

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