as in revolutionaries
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
Relevance
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 extremists
In recent years, video of the Christchurch massacre has spread across digital platforms where extremists congregate and communicate.
—
Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 20 May 2026
While those behind the recent maritime raids have yet to be identified, previous ship captures have often involved young Somalis from impoverished communities and armed extremists affiliated with global terror networks.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
In an era of heightened political violence, any high-profile public event is a potential target for extremists, and the country remains deeply polarized and heavily armed.
—Nick Miroff, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026
Continue reading … LEFT'S CIVIL WAR — 'Pro-capitalist' Fetterman names names, torching fellow Dems as extremists.
—FOXNews.com, 14 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
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
Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 20 May 2026
While those behind the recent maritime raids have yet to be identified, previous ship captures have often involved young Somalis from impoverished communities and armed extremists affiliated with global terror networks.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
In an era of heightened political violence, any high-profile public event is a potential target for extremists, and the country remains deeply polarized and heavily armed.
—Nick Miroff, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026
Continue reading … LEFT'S CIVIL WAR — 'Pro-capitalist' Fetterman names names, torching fellow Dems as extremists.
—FOXNews.com, 14 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extremists
Noun
-
In the second half of the 20th century, everyone who was anyone in American culture – from Hollywood icons to presidents and revolutionaries – had their portrait taken by Avedon.—
Sheena McKenzie,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
-
In a video message, Rubio discussed the faith of American revolutionaries and the role of Christian missionaries who aimed to spread the Gospel through the country's western expansion.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Schlöndorff sympathized with the anger driving the student movements of the time and pushed back against those condemning the radicals, including German left-wing terrorist group the Red Army Faction, who were using violence to achieve political ends.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
-
To its members, Latin America’s leaders weren’t revolutionary peers but swarthy radicals.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Extremists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extremists. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
