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
His level of defensive discipline and ability to receive the ball and switch play under extreme pressure is unmatched by any other player at Molineux. Steve Madeley, New York Times, 12 May 2025 For all the extreme legal steps the Administration has already deployed, suspending habeas corpus would be an act far more radical than any that has come before. Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 12 May 2025
Noun
If that happened to someone as powerful as Schumer, how could anyone else possibly feel comfortable stepping up to do the right thing against the interests of the party extremes? Bradley Tusk, New York Daily News, 2 May 2025 The economy has largely recovered and America’s most populous city is finally growing again, but the New York City that has emerged from the pandemic is a place of greater extremes. Christina Jewett, New York Times, 1 May 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
  • Shortly before entering that orbit, NASA says Orion will travel 57, 287 miles beyond the moon at its farthest point from the lunar surface.
    Lee Roop | lroop@al.com, al, 23 Nov. 2022
Adjective
  • Now, a radical shift is taking place under President Trump.
    Rafael Nam, NPR, 19 May 2025
  • Believing radical change requires violence to overthrow the old order, the two women and their fellow comrades launch an armed attack on wealthy landowners in a stately villa.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2025
Adjective
  • The lawsuit argues the incident is part of a larger pattern of excessive force by deputies.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 16 May 2025
  • Among its findings were that Banks used excessive force and falsely imprisoned Myles; that Banks’ use of his dog violated Myles’ Fourth Amendment rights; that Banks and the county were both negligent; and that the county violated Myles’ civil rights by failing to properly train and supervise Banks.
    Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • Inside the suitcase were human remains which consisted of a female torso without the extremities, head and neck, and a black trash bag, which was next to the neck area, the warrant affidavit said.
    Kellie Love, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Don't use a tourniquet Don't try to suction out the venom, and don't cut or slice the bite Keep the affected extremity elevated while traveling to a medical facility.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Superhuman built their email tool in public, discussing challenges openly, which shaped their product and created a rabid fan base in the process.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
  • That’s not quite enough to fill, say, Coors Field, but certainly enough to warrant applause for this Canadian DJ’s rabid fan base.
    John Wenzel, Denver Post, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Amanda learned in like 10 seconds, which is insane.
    Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2025
  • The emu egg—a two pound, eight-inch ovoid with a sultry teal shell gently speckled in pale green—seemed like just the right absurdist final flourish for an already insane endeavor.
    Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 23 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Coincidentally, the Fresnel peak is found between 90 and 105 astronomical units.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 19 May 2025
  • This week, several of those beloved songs continue climbing Billboard’s worldwide lists, hitting new peaks and returning to the ears of what must be a massive audience.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • Despite the rising frequency of double hurricanes, the insurance add-on allows for a maximum of one hurricane payout and one, lower, tropical storm payout per policy per season.
    Rose Schnabel, Sun Sentinel, 18 May 2025
  • Eligible organizations can apply for up to 25% of their loss with a maximum of $40,000 within a year.
    Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Extreme.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extreme. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

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