extremist 1 of 2

Definition of extremistnext
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

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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

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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 extremist
Adjective
Investigators were also working to determine if the suspects were inspired by ISIS extremist messaging. Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026 In 2024, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution declared Jüdische Stimme an extremist organization. Shira Li Bartov, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026 The 36-year-old most recently worked for BelaPAN, which the Belarusian authorities have designated as extremist. Yuras Karmanau, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026 None could tame its political furies; its covert operations, which killed more than a thousand Americans in Lebanon, Iraq, and Afghanistan; or its expansion, through the creation of like-minded extremist movements, across the Middle East. Robin Wright, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026 The bodies of three Palestinians killed by extremist Israeli settlers were placed side-by-side in the schoolyard of Abu Falah, a village near the West Bank city of Ramallah on Sunday, wrapped in Palestinian flags. Fadwa Hodali, Bloomberg, 8 Mar. 2026 Repeating failures Afghanistan was a theocracy controlled by the extremist Taliban. Jill Lawrence, Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2026 Leonardo DiCaprio plays a former member of a left-wing extremist group and father to teenage daughter Willa. Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026 Social media and gaming companies face criticism for not adequately policing extremist content and protecting young users. Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 5 Mar. 2026
Noun
Videos published by Islamic State West Africa Province showed massive weaponry and ammunition, as well as dozens of motorcycles and vehicles that the extremists said were captured during the raids. Arkansas Online, 11 Mar. 2026 Over the weekend, Islamic extremists launched at least six attacks in Borno and Yobe states and in the wider Lake Chad region, spiriting away trucks and military hardware from the bases, according to security analysts and security reports. Chinedu Asadu, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026 Kayumi and Balat joined a counter protest to an anti-Islam rally organized by right wing extremist Jake Lang. Daily News Staff, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 2026 The Islamic State is a group of Sunni extremists; Iran’s population is almost entirely Shiite, the other main religious community within Islam. Dallas Morning News, 9 Mar. 2026 According to the complaint, Kayumi, 19, said that ISIS was the reason for his actions and later told authorities that he was affiliated with the Islamic State extremist group. Chad De Guzman, Time, 9 Mar. 2026 For over five decades their primary security strategy had been to nurture Islamic extremists. Mihir Sharma, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026 In the near future, the most likely of these scenarios is an inspired act by a lone wolf or homegrown violent extremist. Colin P. Clarke, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2026 The only people who pay attention are the extremists themselves who are looking for loopholes around the terms of service. Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 5 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extremist
Adjective
  • As a young woman, Stanton frequently visited her cousin Gerrit Smith, a militant abolitionist and an ally of John Brown, whose house in Peterboro, New York, was a hotbed for radical intellectuals.
    Moira Donegan, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
  • The first film from powerhouse distributor Neon to open SXSW, this tale of a team of shoplifters fighting against an unequal system will receive the maximum spotlight for its radical message ahead of opening May 22.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Pat, not knowing about her relationship with Lockjaw, takes to being a father, but Perfidia pulls away, choosing to continue her work as a revolutionary in lieu of settling down.
    Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Mar. 2026
  • The elder Khamenei was a genuine revolutionary.
    Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • However, recent warmer temperatures this winter and extreme wind events have beaten down the wildflowers and signaled that summer is approaching, which can deplete the bloom, according to Fraga.
    Cierra Morgan, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Pakistan has announced extreme austerity measures, South Korea is introducing its first fuel price cap in almost 30 years, and G7 ministers met to discuss potentially releasing strategic oil reserves.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Based on the rabid demand and explosive growth of Kylie Cosmetics, the company drew the attention of the business press.
    Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 11 Mar. 2026
  • As one of the stars of gay hockey smut — sorry, show — Heated Rivalry, Storrie’s overnight catapult into the spotlight has bestowed upon him a rabid fanbase of horny women.
    Rima Parikh, Vulture, 1 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Extremist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extremist. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.

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