extreme 1 of 2

1
as in farthest
most distant from a center spacecraft that is specially designed to explore the extreme edge of our solar system

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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extreme

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word extreme different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of extreme are excessive, exorbitant, extravagant, immoderate, and inordinate. While all these words mean "going beyond a normal limit," extreme may imply an approach to the farthest limit possible or conceivable but commonly means only to a notably high degree.

extreme shyness

When is it sensible to use excessive instead of extreme?

Although the words excessive and extreme have much in common, excessive implies an amount or degree too great to be reasonable or acceptable.

excessive punishment

Where would exorbitant be a reasonable alternative to extreme?

The words exorbitant and extreme are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exorbitant implies a departure from accepted standards regarding amount or degree.

exorbitant prices

When might extravagant be a better fit than extreme?

The meanings of extravagant and extreme largely overlap; however, extravagant implies an indifference to restraints imposed by truth, prudence, or good taste.

extravagant claims for the product

In what contexts can immoderate take the place of extreme?

The words immoderate and extreme can be used in similar contexts, but immoderate implies lack of desirable or necessary restraint.

immoderate spending

When could inordinate be used to replace extreme?

While the synonyms inordinate and extreme are close in meaning, inordinate implies an exceeding of the limits dictated by reason or good judgment.

inordinate pride

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of extreme
Adjective
Our research shows that extreme attractiveness might grab attention but can undermine connection, the true currency of the influencer economy. Abby Frank, The Conversation, 5 Nov. 2025 But, as a densely populated city on the Atlantic coast, New York City is growing increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of rising global temperatures—from flooding to extreme heat. Simmone Shah, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
The Dashaway eCT takes the original Dashaway concept to an even greater extreme. New Atlas, 28 Oct. 2025 At the other extreme, too much moisture could get trapped after several heavy rains and lead to root rot. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for extreme
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extreme
Adjective
  • That's close to the farthest point in its orbit, which is 252,088 miles away, according to NASA.
    Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2023
  • At its farthest, the capsule was more than 268,000 miles from Earth.
    Marcia Dunn, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Dec. 2022
Adjective
  • In a 30-minute interview, Martin defended how the party has been managing its internal divisions, and pushed back at Republicans who have accused Democrats of embracing violence and radical politics.
    David Weigel, semafor.com, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Yet Mamdani proposes to turn Gotham into a laboratory for radical economic redistribution and left-wing social engineering.
    MSNBC Newsweek, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Its bladeless construction is designed to pull in air and powerfully circulate it around the room, all without accumulating excessive dust like standard fans do—a double plus in my book.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2025
  • And although its fats are healthy, excessive intake can still contribute to unwanted pounds.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • An autopsy conducted on Campbell revealed significant amount of bruising and abrasions to the boy's head, face, torso, back and extremities.
    Adrienne Davis, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Reichardt emphasizes the extremity of the action with a strikingly novel form of cinematic narrative that, in a more ordinary drama, might feel like a facile evasion.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Rod Wave Elite is a popular high school basketball squad that bounces around the country playing exhibition games to crowds of rabid teens and internet celebrities.
    Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Ed Sheeran is used to playing for tens of thousands of rabid fans in stadiums around the world.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The sanity phase of his trial began Thursday to determine whether Nicholson was legally insane at the time of the murders.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
  • This lockdown is insane & disturbing with what happened during our investigation.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The autumn leaves were at their peak, making for a magical experience.
    Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 4 Nov. 2025
  • The current program, launched on January 5, charges drivers a daily fee, initially $15 and later revised to $9 for most cars, for entering Manhattan south of 61st Street during peak hours.
    Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Under Finnish laws, the filming schedule was capped to a maximum of four 12-hour days per week.
    Marcus Lim, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Workers who receive the $4,018 maximum full retirement age benefit in 2025 would have earned the taxable maximum in each year starting at age 22, according to the Social Security Administration.
    Lorie Konish, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Extreme.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extreme. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.

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