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

There’s been so much extremism in the last five to eight years across the board, and people have been earmarked as being one thing or another. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 7 Nov. 2025

Host Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Odette Yousef, a national security correspondent focusing on extremism, about the divide that seems to be opening up on the American political right after Carlson’s interview. —NPR, 6 Nov. 2025

The balance of power in Mississippi is shifting away from extremism and chaos and toward champions of working families, driven by Democrats’ steadfast commitment to their communities. —Daniel Orton, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025

Advertisement Jen Golbeck, a University of Maryland professor studying extremism on social media, testified at Stinson’s trial as a defense witness. —Chad De Guzman, Time, 4 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for extremism

• endemism

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