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
  • Somehow, in honoring the group’s women, from the rageful housewife Margie (Betsy Aidem) to the radical author Celeste (Kristolyn Lloyd), Flood’s outpouring becomes a lament.
    Hilton Als, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Her work has been featured in retreats, leadership circles, and coaching programs, where she is celebrated for her emotional depth and ability to catalyze radical transformation.
    Maria Williams, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • There was excessive growth of microtubules that wasn’t caused by an increase in gene activity, but likely due to the cells failing to clear away old or misfolded proteins.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 8 Nov. 2025
  • But Walpole’s excitement was curbed when they were flagged for excessive celebration.
    Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • While Hawke, who played Manson family member Linda Kasabian/’Flowerchild’, did not end up barefoot in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, her co-star Margaret Qualley famously showed off her lower extremities in the film.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The next day, two partial sections of lower extremities were found on the shoreline.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Despite three tumultuous relocations in the past half-century, most recently a defection to Sin City five years ago, the Raiders still have a rabid fan base — at Allegiant, every game day is Halloween — and the natives and transplants (including 62,080 attendees Sunday) are getting restless.
    Michael Silver, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
  • The show then unravels like a circus, hopping with rabid animals when real demons from the underworld steal the spotlight, feeding off the rising live-stream viewer count.
    Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • His votes, like his tattoos, just weren’t insane enough anymore.
    Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
  • His voice messages of songs are amazing and insane.
    Kristin Robinson, Billboard, 6 Nov. 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
  • But the new method would theoretically extend that maximum to 1,243 miles (2,000 km).
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2025
  • By late afternoon, delays had spread to Chicago O'Hare, Dallas, Houston, Phoenix and across the northern border in Toronto, and delays were averaging four hours at Washington Reagan and hitting a maximum of more than seven.
    Todd Spangler, Freep.com, 7 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Extreme.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extreme. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.

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