extremism

noun

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

Examples of extremism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The vast Sahel region has become the deadliest place in the world for extremism. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026

But protesters, including some Jewish groups, contend that opposing Israel's military offensive in Gaza is not antisemitic and that support for Palestinian rights does not indicate support for extremism. — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026

The same pattern is evident in the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in the 1960s and 1970s, which culminated in the establishment of Islamic regimes and the spread of Islamist extremism. — Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026

The Savant is based on a 2019 Cosmopolitan article about the top secret investigator Chastain plays, online extremism, and political violence. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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