extremist 1 of 2

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
Now outraged viewers are attacking the press for supposedly attempting to bury the story and using the video to push extremist views and propaganda. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025 While the Pacific Northwest has a long history with right-wing extremist organizing, the proponents of whites-only communities have also targeted areas of the Northeast as possible locations for a white ethnostate. Paul J. Becker, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025 But recent studies have shown how social media algorithms mercilessly push manosphere content toward young men — and that content is quickly interspersed with other even more extremist ideas. Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025 The AfD was classified as a right-wing extremist organization by Germany's spy agency in May, but the description has been paused because of an appeal pending in court. Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025 Both Lebanon and Syria are emerging from devastating sectarian conflicts, foreign interference, and destruction at the hands of the Iranian regime and non-state actors who prioritized extremist ideology above all. semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2025 On the morning of the massacre, an erratic-acting Westman posted a disturbing video displaying an arsenal of firearms, magazines and ammunition adorned with extremist writings. Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2025 Internal Facebook research from 2016 revealed that its recommendation tools drove the majority of extremist group growth. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025 His early prison release resulted from his informing on an extremist group’s plan to harm a judge, which led to a legal identity change sealed by the federal government, according to Ross’ website. Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2025
Noun
TikTok, Bluesky, Substack, the gaming platform Discord and other new players, big and small, can all learn from past policies for keeping extremists off the Internet—and return to those content moderation roots. Steven Stalinsky, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025 High-profile extremists of the time such as Richard Butler, Robert Mathews and David Lane supported the plan. Paul J. Becker, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025 The Middle Belt and northern states are especially volatile, with Islamic militant groups like Boko Haram, Fulani extremists and ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province) targeting Christian communities through mass killings, kidnappings and church burnings. Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025 Only the liberals and the extremists do that. Tom Tapp, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2025 These extremists don’t give a damn about public safety. Sudiksha Kochi, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2025 Yehuda Cohen, the father of Nimrod Cohen, an Israeli soldier held in Gaza, said from the boat that Netanyahu is prolonging the war to satisfy extremists in his governing coalition. Melanie Lidman, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025 The same extremists, ranging from Max Blumenthal on the left to Candace Owens on the right, have ramped up the conspiracy-mongering now that Epstein is in the headlines again. Ron Kampeas, Sun Sentinel, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extremist
Adjective
  • As in the crowded Arsenale itself, anything more radical to be found in the pavilion is buried under dioramas and walls of texts.
    Kate Wagner, Curbed, 5 Sep. 2025
  • To be clear, this isn’t a radical new idea.
    Wendy Barnes, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The film was One Battle After Another, Anderson’s high-octane adaptation of Vineland, Thomas Pynchon’s anarchic 1990 novel about a crew of former leftist revolutionaries — the French 75 — living in a slightly more dystopian version of present-day America.
    Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
  • The plot centers around a former revolutionary who must reunite with old associates to find his missing daughter.
    David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Ketamine therapy’s most common short-term side effects are dizziness and nausea, but in extreme cases, long-term, heavy use of ketamine is associated with memory problems, gastrointestinal issues, and urinary tract infections, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
    Rachel Hale, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Tootles’ death disproves this, showing that a hybrid being can die under extreme circumstances.
    Leia Mendoza, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Rabies is a virus that is transmitted to humans by a bite or scratch from a rabid animal, according to the CDC.
    Shiv Sudhakar, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
  • These are hit series with rabid fanbases across a broad range of genres — from a propulsive thriller like ‘Paradise’ to a shiny floor competition show like ‘Dancing with the Star’s to a juicy drama like ‘Tell Me Lies’ — there’s a companion podcast for every viewer and every TV obsession.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Extremist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extremist. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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