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
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 Ballout was suspected of driving a van into a crowd near Berlin’s Pride festival Saturday night before apparently stabbing others with a machete in what authorities believe was an Islamic extremist terror attack. Geir Moulson, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026 Increasingly, his mind was preoccupied with extremist views and conspiracy theories, including secret government cabals and false-flag operations. Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026 Members of the movement share an extremist political ideology that justifies (in their view) unlawful activities or at least the intentional disregard of federal laws. Jordana Rosenfeld, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 July 2026 In Dubai, more than 200 nationalities coexist in peace, security, and prosperity because tolerance is actively enforced, leaving zero room for extremist ideologies. Liron Zaslansky, semafor.com, 22 July 2026 Four decades ago, Labour’s Neil Kinnock expelled the extremist faction burrowing within his beloved party. James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026 The result is candidates with less reason to moderate their extremist views, encouraging more extremist laws. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 18 July 2026
Noun
The following day, the state added him to its official register of terrorists and extremists, a designation that obliges Russian banks to freeze his assets. Susie Violet Ward, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 The song debuted in 1995, at a Voters for Choice benefit concert hosted by Gloria Steinem, after an antiabortion extremist murdered two women at a Planned Parenthood and another family-planning clinic in Massachusetts. Claire Howorth, Vanity Fair, 29 July 2026 More than four decades later, Kinnock’s actions remain among the most memorable examples of a political leader confronting extremists on his own side. James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026 Lamb also swapped racist jokes with a border extremist in an online message exchange, The Republic found, and spent months launching a multimillion-dollar ranch business in Tennessee while running for Congress in Arizona. Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 21 July 2026 Rushdie has spent almost 40 years under threat of death from Islamic extremists after the Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa against him, claiming Rushdie’s novel The Satanic Verses blasphemed Islam and mocked the Prophet Muhammad. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 July 2026 Labour lawmaker Jo Cox was shot and stabbed in 2016 by a far-right extremist, and Conservative David Amess was stabbed in 2021 by an attacker inspired by the Islamic State group. ABC News, 14 July 2026 The planned demonstration of force was timed to bring a fringe group of extremists into public view as the nation marked 250 years of its independence. Odette Yousef, NPR, 11 July 2026 Labor lawmaker Jo Cox was shot and stabbed in 2016 by a far-right extremist, and Conservative David Amess was stabbed in 2021 by an attacker inspired by the Islamic State group. Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extremist
Adjective
  • More than anything, the reparations movement—despite being marginal for most of my life—is part of the Black radical tradition, and this is my inheritance.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 July 2026
  • In a season of Cassandras, the most radical thing a citizen can do may also be the most ordinary.
    James Robenalt, Vanity Fair, 27 July 2026
Noun
  • Trump is starving the machine that creates America's socialist revolutionaries.
    , FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026
  • The monarchy was overthrown in the February Revolution of 1917, and the tsar and his family became prisoners of the revolutionaries.
    Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 July 2026
Adjective
  • The Old Trails Fire – fueled by extreme fire weather conditions – has burned nearly 3,000 acres, Washington State Forester George Geissler said at a news conference Saturday, adding about 4,000 buildings are threatened in the area.
    Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 1 Aug. 2026
  • In Montana, the entire east side of the state was under an extreme heat warning Saturday, said weather service meteorologist Jeff Kitsmiller.
    Tammy Webber, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The history, the rabid fans, and of course, this particular group led by Brunson winning the first title in 53 years, has electrified the city more than the Nets have.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 27 July 2026
  • Across their four albums, the group has cultivated a rabid fan base dedicated to their brand of experimental rock.
    Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Extremist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extremist. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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