EXTREMISM Synonyms: 18 Similar and Opposite Words

extremism

noun

Definition of extremism

as in excessiveness

belief in and support for ideas that are very far from what most people consider correct or reasonable political extremism

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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 extremism But protesters, including some Jewish groups, contend that opposing Israel's military offensive in Gaza is not antisemitic and that support for Palestinian rights does not indicate support for extremism. — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026 The same pattern is evident in the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in the 1960s and 1970s, which culminated in the establishment of Islamic regimes and the spread of Islamist extremism. — Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026 The Savant is based on a 2019 Cosmopolitan article about the top secret investigator Chastain plays, online extremism, and political violence. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2026 In a world fractured by power, fear and political extremism, a group of women uncovers a demonic force operating at the highest level of society-and realizes the chaos around them may be part of a much darker design. — Annika Pham, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for extremism

Recent Examples of Synonyms for extremism

Noun

The excessiveness of Ken Russell, Joe Coleman, Tasha Tudor, clowns, migraines, Priscilla Presley, and the Winchester Mystery House.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
This excessiveness can hinder critical knowledge building because of the sheer amount of information that can be accessed simultaneously at any time.

— Carmen Daniela Maier, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026

Definition of excessiveness

Noun

Trump is right to want to tame inequality, scale back some of the excesses of globalization, and secure supply chains of critical goods.

— Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026
In the 40 years since, every facet of Spacemen 3’s story has been turned over and generously embellished, resulting in an excess of grandeur and foresight projected onto the duo at the heart of it.

— Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of excess

Noun

In some instances, student radicalism spilled over into yakuza activities.

— Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
But with the midterms approaching, Republicans are increasingly frustrated by the unexpected bromance, which threatens the party’s message about Democratic radicalism.

— Steve Peoples, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of radicalism

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extremes

extremism

extremist

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“Extremism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extremism. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of extremism

noun

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