extremism

noun

ex·​trem·​ism ik-ˈstrē-ˌmi-zəm How to pronounce extremism (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being extreme
2
: advocacy of extreme measures or views : radicalism
extremist noun or adjective

Examples of extremism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The second non-fiction title on Elvie Productions’ slate is a documentary about a special unit that was created in the wake of the 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris to prevent and fight against violent extremism. Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 22 Mar. 2024 The AfD poses a threat that many see as singular, both because of Germany’s history and because of the party’s unabashed extremism. Joseph De Weck, The Atlantic, 20 Mar. 2024 After months of internal deliberation, Twitter announced a plan to fight violent extremism, removing accounts suspected to have ISIS ties. Ann Marimow, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2024 The Anti-Defamation League — an organization that advocates against hate speech and extremism — reports that antisemitic hate speech has been on the rise in recent years. Lauren J. Mapp, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2024 These attitudes do not emerge solely from ignorance, conspiracy thinking, far-right extremism or hysteria, but rather the historical and ongoing harms endemic to the U.S. health care system itself. Johanna Richlin, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2024 In August, he was sentenced to 19 more years in a maximum security penal colony on charges of extremism. Yuliya Talmazan, NBC News, 24 Feb. 2024 Last August, he was sentenced to 19 years in prison after being found guilty of extremism, which added on to a nine-year sentence for fraud and contempt of court. Cailey Gleeson, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024 Mass shootings can happen due to domestic terrorism or extremism. Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 16 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'extremism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of extremism was in 1865

Dictionary Entries Near extremism

Cite this Entry

“Extremism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extremism. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

extremism

noun
ex·​trem·​ism ik-ˈstrē-ˌmiz-əm How to pronounce extremism (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being extreme
2
: belief in and support for extreme ideas especially in politics
extremist noun or adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on extremism

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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