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

My research on white nationalism shows how contemporary extremist movements rely less on formal membership and more on decentralized digital spaces. — Art Jipson, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026

Jewish activists of all backgrounds have been injured, including a pair last spring beaten unconscious by extremist settlers. — Dina Kraft, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Aug. 2026

The memo asked law enforcement agents to consider investigating extremist groups for potential fraud and tax crimes. — Gabe Kaminsky, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

But a new Israeli prime minister would likely try to reassert Israeli army control over army reserve units that support extremist settlers who regularly attack Palestinian civilians. — Trudy Rubin, Twin Cities, 18 Aug. 2026

The timing of the assaults prompted allegations that the extremist group had coordinated with Laftagareen’s forces. — ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026

Emboldened by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing government, extremist settlers have routinely attacked villages and set homes, cars and mosques ablaze in the occupied West Bank this year. — Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026

For over 25 years, the SPLC has tracked the activity and influence of extremist groups across the country. — Ellis Simani, ProPublica, 14 Aug. 2026

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

Noun

In a Michigan swing district just north of Detroit, Democratic congressional candidate Christina Hines said voters are far more worried about affording fuel, groceries and healthcare than about left-wing extremists gaining ground in her party. — Steve Peoples, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

During the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, more than 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed in a campaign of mass murder orchestrated by Hutu extremists. — ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026

In 2022, far-right extremists stormed her reading, seizing viral headlines. — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026

There still will be scammers, extortionists, extremists and others who try to take advantage of teens and adults. — Larry Magid, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026

Critical milestones in this transitional phase of the movement were the deadly confrontations between white Christian extremists and federal agents at Ruby Ridge, Idaho (1992), and Waco, Texas (1993). — Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026

Spinks has spent years investigating and documenting nihilistic violent extremists and reported Spitze’s concerning online footprint to law enforcement. — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 20 Aug. 2026

With a real-world legal event like the SPLC indictment, extremists can point to government action as evidence that their worldview is being validated. — Art Jipson, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026

Far-right extremists are even encouraging Jewish-Arab violence atop the Temple Mount, the most sacred site in Judaism and the third holiest in Islam, which could ignite anti-Israel religious violence and terrorism in the region. — Trudy Rubin, Twin Cities, 18 Aug. 2026