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
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
That straight-sets defeat drove Alcaraz to tears such was the frustration at not being able to work out the equation that the 24-time Grand Slam champion brings on the other side of that net in extremis.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
The decision to use airstrikes only in extremis virtually ensured defeat.
—Carter Malkasian, Foreign Affairs, 10 Feb. 2020
See All Example Sentences for in extremis
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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
That straight-sets defeat drove Alcaraz to tears such was the frustration at not being able to work out the equation that the 24-time Grand Slam champion brings on the other side of that net in extremis.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
The decision to use airstrikes only in extremis virtually ensured defeat.
—Carter Malkasian, Foreign Affairs, 10 Feb. 2020
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 4 May. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
in extremis
adverb
in ex·tre·mis
ˌin-ik-ˈstrē-məs
-ˈstrā-
-ˈstrā-
: at the point of death
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