extremity

noun

ex·​trem·​i·​ty ik-ˈstre-mə-tē How to pronounce extremity (audio)
plural extremities
1
a
: the farthest or most remote part, section, or point
the island's westernmost extremity
b
: a limb of the body
especially : a human hand or foot
2
a
: extreme danger or critical need
b
: a moment marked by imminent destruction or death
3
a
: an intense degree
the extremity of his participationSaturday Rev.
b
: the utmost degree (as of emotion or pain)
4
: a drastic or desperate act or measure
driven to extremities

Examples of extremity in a Sentence

The extremity of her grief is impossible to imagine. made offers of aid to the refugees, and of asylum in extremity
Recent Examples on the Web The deer was seen lying down with all its extremities splayed out. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 30 Nov. 2023 On the Amazon broadcast, it was announced that Burks has movement in all his extremities. Phil Helsel, NBC News, 3 Nov. 2023 Whatever scholars conclude, though, the force of the Christian example surely lies in the extremity of the deity’s abasement, tortured to death in the most humiliatingly imaginable way and left to be buried as a criminal. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2023 Jackson, working with cinematographer Jomo Fray (who shot the picture on 35mm), photographs those extremities with enough grace and attention to suggest that the French master Robert Bresson might be one of her many influences. Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2023 Boyle’s third infection, though mild, exacerbated lingering symptoms from her first illness, such as fatigue and swelling in her extremities. Aria Bendix, NBC News, 8 Oct. 2023 House Republicans didn’t have a policy or a principle to justify the extremity of their position on the eve of the shutdown. Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 1 Oct. 2023 But their garments are still fashionable; they are beautifully made separates with mindful details like sleeves and pant legs cut at an angle to consider the natural bend of our extremities. José Criales-Unzueta, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2023 Family YouTuber arrested on abuse charges Ruby Franke, a Utah mother whose strict parenting styles have led to backlash in the past, was arrested this week on child abuse charges after a malnourished child with open wounds and duct tape on their extremities was found. Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 1 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'extremity.' 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

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of extremity was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near extremity

Cite this Entry

“Extremity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extremity. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

extremity

noun
ex·​trem·​i·​ty ik-ˈstrem-ət-ē How to pronounce extremity (audio)
plural extremities
1
: the farthest limit, point, or part
2
: an end part of a limb of the body (as a hand or foot)
3
: an extreme degree (as of emotion or pain)

Medical Definition

extremity

noun
ex·​trem·​i·​ty ik-ˈstrem-ət-ē How to pronounce extremity (audio)
plural extremities
1
: the farthest or most remote part, section, or point
2
: a limb of the body
especially : a human hand or foot

More from Merriam-Webster on extremity

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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