in extremis
adverb
in ex·tre·mis
ˌin-ik-ˈstrē-məs 
-ˈstrā-
-ˈstrā-
: in extreme circumstances
especially
: at the point of death
Examples of in extremis in a Sentence
They are helping a family in extremis.
Recent Examples on the Web
The two movies do share a portrait of capitalism in extremis, in which the race to hold onto increasingly smaller pieces of a rapidly dissolving pie feeds more surreal transgressions.
—
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2025
To focus one’s attention on the bare minimum that the laws of war require in extremis is a way to avoid the vexed moral and political problems of the past wars, which America is very much still fighting.
—Colin Jones, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2025
Gough’s performance is a savage self-immolation of a woman who only knows how to feign joy — and then only ever in extremis — but equally crucial to the moment is the clothing that costume designer Michael Wilkinson arms her with.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 23 Apr. 2025
Maybe there's some in extremis situation, when you're—you're on Samoa or something, and there aren't any official channels.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in extremis
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2025
To focus one’s attention on the bare minimum that the laws of war require in extremis is a way to avoid the vexed moral and political problems of the past wars, which America is very much still fighting.
—Colin Jones, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2025
Gough’s performance is a savage self-immolation of a woman who only knows how to feign joy — and then only ever in extremis — but equally crucial to the moment is the clothing that costume designer Michael Wilkinson arms her with.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 23 Apr. 2025
Maybe there's some in extremis situation, when you're—you're on Samoa or something, and there aren't any official channels.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in extremis
Cite this Entry
“In extremis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20extremis. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
in extremis
adverb
in ex·tre·mis
ˌin-ik-ˈstrē-məs
-ˈstrā-
-ˈstrā-
: at the point of death
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share