Synonyms of extremist

extremist 1 of 2

adjective

as in radical

being very far from the center of public opinion

their extremist views on religious issues set them apart from the rest of the community

Synonyms & Similar Words

• radical
• extreme
• rabid
• revolutionary
• fanatic
• ultra
• violent
• revolutionist
• subversive
• reactionary
• wild

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• conservative
• moderate
• traditional
• conventional
• middle-of-the-road
• liberal
• temperate
• orthodox
• unrevolutionary
• nonrevolutionary
• progressive

extremist

2 of 2

noun

as in revolutionary

a person who favors rapid and sweeping changes especially in laws and methods of government

extremists wanted to do away with everything, even though they had no thought-out plan for what to do afterwards

Synonyms & Similar Words

• revolutionary
• radical
• rebel
• revolutionist
• anarchist
• leftist
• crazy
• insurgent
• reformer
• reformist
• lefty
• separatist
• progressive
• agitator
• red
• insurrectionist
• separationist
• secessionist
• subversive
• young Turk
• anarch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• moderate
• conservative
• Tory
• rightist
• reactionary
• traditionalist
• middle-of-the-roader
• fuddy-duddy
• standpatter

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of extremist

Adjective

The government says the organization told donors their money would help dismantle violent extremist groups while concealing that some funds were routed to the groups’ leaders and organizers. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2026

However, the most controversial point in the yearslong debate was the fate of extremist Islamist prisoners, including firebrand cleric Ahmad al-Assir. — ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

To address the threat at its source, European governments need to focus on preventing radicalization and disrupting foreign funding and ideological networks that fuel extremist movements. — Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026

This is especially true among young people who now spend countless hours on gaming site chatrooms that promote extremist hate and engage with chatbots programmed to maximize engagement, often with harmful consequences. — Michael Posner, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

One of his personal highlights was Mark Pellington’s 1999 political thriller Arlington Road, starring Jeff Bridges as a history professor who suspects his neighbor, played by Tim Robbins, of being involved in an anti-government extremist movement. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026

Shaming or humiliating people online often pushes them further into extremist rabbit holes. — Larry Magid, Mercury News, 30 July 2026

Because there are extremist groups that called for military aggression against Venezuela, and the Venezuelan people—especially those who experienced the attack first hand—felt a great deal of fear. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 30 July 2026

In the past six years, some of these theories have emerged from the margins of the internet and made their way into Republican politics, the MAGA movement, anti-vaccine communities and even white-nationalist extremist networks. — Art Jipson, The Conversation, 30 July 2026

Noun

When Israeli extremists arrived in Qusra to force Palestinians from their homes, residents hoped the Israel Defense Forces would come to their aid. — Gerry Shih, Washington Post, 14 Aug. 2026

Extremists can win blue states, but presidential elections and congressional control are decided in purple states, and America will not elect extremists and socialists. — Andrew Cuomo, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026

Israel cannot continue with Bibi, Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, the other two extremists in the Knesset. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026

Beirich's arrest is the latest in the DOJ's case against the civil rights group long seen as an essential foil to the Ku Klux Klan and which historically worked with federal authorities to build cases against extremists. — Michael Loria, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026

But to his legions of enemies — from MAGA reactionaries to the Anti-Defamation League to mere centrist Democrats — Piker is a loudmouth extremist who’s actively harming the country. — Josh Eells, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2026

The event’s description and choice of speakers showed overlapping anti-government narratives used to garner sympathy for leftist and Islamic extremists alike. — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 9 Aug. 2026

Swatting is just one criminal element associated with 764, which federal authorities have characterized as a network of nihilistic violent extremists. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026

Take the word of an extremist who wants to destroy the fabric of this country. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026