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
Pepe the Frog and Wojak (the bald, numb-looking cartoon character used to express ennui) were incubated in extremist circles on the image board 4chan. Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026 For Ramírez, as for many others involved in international extremist violence at the time, the middle years of the 1970s undoubtedly brought opportunities to further their cause and violent careers. Literary Hub, 16 Jan. 2026 Fort Worth police believe that video originated from an extremist hate group overseas, officials said at the time. Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Jan. 2026 Police did not say which extremist organization Banda is involved in. Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 13 Jan. 2026 He was arrested in Arizona where federal agents discovered clothing displaying antisemitic, anti-Israel, and extremist symbols, including a t-shirt with an image of the Al-Qaeda flag. Ashley Carnahan, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026 In recent months, authorities have taken particular note of the nihilistic violent extremist network 764, with more than 300 investigations into the network ongoing, according to the FBI. Lauren Fichten, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026 Some of the world's largest brands pulled their advertising spending from the platform following reports that ads were appearing next to controversial and extremist content. Julia Boorstin, CNBC, 7 Jan. 2026 The account’s display name referenced Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the former leader of the extremist group. Gary D. Robertson, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
Noun
Senegal -- The Islamic State extremist group claimed responsibility on Friday for an attack on an air force base in Niger's capital that wounded four soldiers and damaged an aircraft. Arkansas Online, 31 Jan. 2026 In an age when polarized politics have whipped extremists into a frenzy and disagreeing with someone’s views justifies physical assault among fringe elements, the assault on Omar is a new abysmal milestone of societal degradation. Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 29 Jan. 2026 The solution to voters being limited to a choice between two extremists is to change the primary system. Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026 My fellow Republicans have been holding firm in labeling Renee Good a domestic extremist, asserting that her actions constituted a violent threat motivated by ideological aims. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026 Republicans pounced on the opportunity to paint Democrats, especially those in vulnerable seats, as extremists. Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2026 Once more, police made desultory enquiries and soon lost interest, their investigative resources stretched thin by a recent string of bombings in London by Irish republican extremists. Literary Hub, 16 Jan. 2026 Some nihilistic violent extremists carry out violence with the goal of hastening the collapse of society — a philosophy known as accelerationism. Lauren Fichten, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026 With extremists in power the nation’s leaders lose their ability to compromise and thus the entire nation fails. Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 12 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extremist
Adjective
  • In a time where fabled bottles are traded and shelved as trophies, Soo Hoo’s decision to open this one is radical.
    Pin Yen Tan 9 min ago, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Clearly some conservatives are still willing to hold the more radical factions of the party to account.
    Laura K. Field, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • In this topsy-turvy world, Erdoğan was the revolutionary, and the representatives of leftist institutions and unions were the rotten elites.
    Kaya Genç, The Dial, 3 Feb. 2026
  • As his health dwindled, Proust took a particular interest in the case of an Irish revolutionary that aroused much public sympathy in France and elsewhere during the War of Independence.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • China’s humanoid robot maker Unitree has showcased a major cold-weather milestone, with its G1 robot completing an autonomous trek across an extreme snowfield in northwest China.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 3 Feb. 2026
  • While official accounts and bystander videos of the Saturday shooting at 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue offer conflicting narratives about the split-second escalation, the outcome highlights the extreme physical risk of inserting oneself into the immediate perimeter of armed agents.
    Christina Buttons, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The happy couple strolls around town to do normal couple activities (such as a romantic dinner date or appearing on the Kiss Cam at a sporting event), before Pringle Man is destroyed by rabid fans.
    Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Then, in 2022, New York legalized online and mobile sports betting and suddenly, rabid fans like Shane were subject to rampant advertising and alluring promotions.
    Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Extremist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extremist. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.

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