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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
Mali has been ruled by a military junta that took power in a 2020 coup, promising to restore security amid a surge of extremist attacks.
—ABC News, 7 May 2026
What other research is being done Researchers are finding that extremist ideas are now spreading through looser networks where many voices contribute and messaging can vary widely.
—Yu-Ru Lin, The Conversation, 7 May 2026
For years, conservative politicians and commentators have portrayed it as a coordinated extremist threat, though law enforcement assessments have generally described it as decentralized and lacking formal leadership.
—Nik Popli, Time, 6 May 2026
The Oath Keepers is described by some as a far-right anti-government extremist militia group.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 6 May 2026
Mark Rowley, the head of the Metropolitan Police, said British Jews are now the target of every extremist group spreading hate.
—CBS News, 2 May 2026
Throughout the series, Creasy is operating under the intel that the FRP, an extremist organization in Brazil, and its imprisoned leader, Ferraz, are behind the bombing of the high-rise.
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
Some are particularly concerned about California, long a hothouse for extremist groups.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Michael Collins, USA Today, 8 May 2026
Her prank of lying in wait for each of her housemates, bombarding them with a Super Soaker, and then enlisting them in her eco-army of Seussian extremists was just pure wonderful delight.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 6 May 2026
For years, Christian clergy who live and work in Jerusalem have reported being frequently spat on, harassed and even physically attacked by Israeli extremists.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 1 May 2026
Conway’s rhetoric, which sounds eerily similar to that of extremists such as Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens, drew a sharp rebuke from his colleague and fellow Councilman Yitzy Schleifer, who criticized Conway for singling out contributions from AIPAC for scrutiny.
—Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 30 Apr. 2026
In particular, when politicians use demonizing or dehumanizing rhetoric to attack their opponents— for example, using words that depict their opponents as subhuman— this fosters extremism and helps motivate extremists to hurt their opponents physically.
—James Piazza, Twin Cities, 30 Apr. 2026
Reparations will support education, economic aid and mental health services, with programs specifically targeting women and girls who endured systematic persecution by extremists in Timbuktu.
—Molly Quell, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Vulnerable rural communities regularly come under fire from Islamic extremists and bandits who take advantage of Nigeria’s vast rural areas and security gaps.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
The Associated Press reported that Algerian authorities rejected a Vatican request for Leo to visit Médéa to pray at the Tibhirine monastery, the place where seven French Trappist monks were kidnapped and killed May 21, 1996, by Islamic extremists during the country’s civil war.
—Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Police are investigating whether an extremist group, the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right, which has claimed responsibility for several of the attacks, is formally linked to the Iranian government.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
Mali has been ruled by a military junta that took power in a 2020 coup, promising to restore security amid a surge of extremist attacks.
—ABC News, 7 May 2026
What other research is being done Researchers are finding that extremist ideas are now spreading through looser networks where many voices contribute and messaging can vary widely.
—Yu-Ru Lin, The Conversation, 7 May 2026
For years, conservative politicians and commentators have portrayed it as a coordinated extremist threat, though law enforcement assessments have generally described it as decentralized and lacking formal leadership.
—Nik Popli, Time, 6 May 2026
The Oath Keepers is described by some as a far-right anti-government extremist militia group.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 6 May 2026
Mark Rowley, the head of the Metropolitan Police, said British Jews are now the target of every extremist group spreading hate.
—CBS News, 2 May 2026
Throughout the series, Creasy is operating under the intel that the FRP, an extremist organization in Brazil, and its imprisoned leader, Ferraz, are behind the bombing of the high-rise.
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
Some are particularly concerned about California, long a hothouse for extremist groups.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Noun
He was succeeded by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who is considered more of an ideological extremist than his father.
—Michael Collins, USA Today, 8 May 2026
Her prank of lying in wait for each of her housemates, bombarding them with a Super Soaker, and then enlisting them in her eco-army of Seussian extremists was just pure wonderful delight.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 6 May 2026
For years, Christian clergy who live and work in Jerusalem have reported being frequently spat on, harassed and even physically attacked by Israeli extremists.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 1 May 2026
Conway’s rhetoric, which sounds eerily similar to that of extremists such as Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens, drew a sharp rebuke from his colleague and fellow Councilman Yitzy Schleifer, who criticized Conway for singling out contributions from AIPAC for scrutiny.
—Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 30 Apr. 2026
In particular, when politicians use demonizing or dehumanizing rhetoric to attack their opponents— for example, using words that depict their opponents as subhuman— this fosters extremism and helps motivate extremists to hurt their opponents physically.
—James Piazza, Twin Cities, 30 Apr. 2026
Reparations will support education, economic aid and mental health services, with programs specifically targeting women and girls who endured systematic persecution by extremists in Timbuktu.
—Molly Quell, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Vulnerable rural communities regularly come under fire from Islamic extremists and bandits who take advantage of Nigeria’s vast rural areas and security gaps.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
The Associated Press reported that Algerian authorities rejected a Vatican request for Leo to visit Médéa to pray at the Tibhirine monastery, the place where seven French Trappist monks were kidnapped and killed May 21, 1996, by Islamic extremists during the country’s civil war.
—Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 12 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extremist
Adjective
-
Britain’s markets have appeared shaky as rumors of a contest have swirled, which may give those who favor a more radical approach pause for thought.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
14 May 2026
-
Revisiting the groundbreaking feminist performance art movement in 1970s Los Angeles, one artist spotlights the inspirational, transformational, radical community exploding the narrative and status quo.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Though far from a revolutionary by nature, John was a stickler for law.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
-
Several of the world’s leading revolutionaries had spent time in the country.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
Nothing too extreme thus far — no darkness retreat, ayahuasca journey or draft-night hijacking — but still, enough to make the Steelers feel just a bit uneasy.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
-
Outdoor succulents should be kept somewhat sheltered from extreme weather such as high winds or heavy rains.—
Peg Aloi,
The Spruce,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
Mitchell’s music variously evokes gospel, blues, working songs and the ravings of a rabid cult.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
-
There's no question that Wetzel has a rabid following, and continues to build a powerful brand in the country music world.—
David Hookstead OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Extremist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extremist. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
