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

But the only personnel in Nigeria are embassy staff with no persistent presence of troops in West Africa or the Sahel region, which military warns is a hotbed for extremism. —Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 20 Nov. 2025

Continue reading … FUELING THE FIRE – Hunter Biden urges Democrat to 'turn the temperature up' when pressed on extremism. —FOXNews.com, 17 Nov. 2025

Large influxes of displaced people often destabilize a country’s domestic politics, fueling polarization and extremism. —Arif Husain, Foreign Affairs, 11 Nov. 2025

The lawsuit also referenced the shooter's social media posts about violence and far-right extremism. —Rachel Wegner, Nashville Tennessean, 11 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