extremism

noun ex·trem·ism \ ik-ˈstrē-ˌmi-zəm \

Updated on: 18 May 2018

Definition of extremism

1 : the quality or state of being extreme

2 : advocacy of extreme measures or views : radicalism

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extremist

play \ik-ˈstrē-mist\ noun or adjective

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Recent Examples of extremism from the Web

In 2016, there were 722 crimes attributed to Islamic extremism.

— Washington Post, "Crime drops in Germany although citizens still feel unsafe," 10 May 2018
But to listen to these young people’s stories is to hear a variety of ways key United States interests are being promoted around the world – from countering Islamist extremism to furthering prosperity through women’s and girls’ development.

— howard lafranchi, The Christian Science Monitor, "Young change-makers show the impact of soft diplomacy," 3 May 2018
When that day comes, men like Rabbi Nosanchuk will be held up as cautionary examples of the worst kind of religious extremism: that which condones the murder of the innocent.

— guest columnist/cleveland.com, cleveland.com, "Science, not religion, should determine public policy on abortion: Joel Berry (Opinion)," 29 Apr. 2018
Lelio might have presented this impossible love triangle obviously, as an indictment of religious extremism.

— evgenia peretz, HWD, "A Fantastic Woman Director Sebastián Lelio Builds Bridges, One Film at a Time," 24 Apr. 2018
Donald Trump — and the fear of extremism his presidency has stoked — has been good for fundraising.

— sven berg, idahostatesman, "Hate watchdog SPLC flags small Northwest churches — and rakes in the cash | Idaho Statesman," 22 Apr. 2018
As Kit is forced to question not only Western society’s responses to extremism but her own, Steavenson’s observations are acute.

— louise doughty, New York Times, "A War Correspondent Comes Home, Bringing War With Her," 20 Apr. 2018
That has led him to conclude wrongly that a rare riot in Sweden over a drug crime was instead linked to refugee extremism.

— Bloomberg.com, "BloombergPolitics," 15 Jan. 2018
That has led him to conclude wrongly that a rare riot in Sweden over a drug crime was instead linked to refugee extremism.

— laurie kellman, The Seattle Times, "Trust and truth under Trump: Americans are in a quandary," 14 Jan. 2018

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

First Known Use of extremism

1865

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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EXTREMISM Defined for English Language Learners

extremism

noun

Definition of extremism for English Language Learners

: belief in and support for ideas that are very far from what most people consider correct or reasonable

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See words that rhyme with extremism Britannica English: Translation of extremism for Arabic speakers

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