1
as in extreme
being very far from the center of public opinion
the baggy trousers that Amelia Bloomer introduced in the 1850s were considered a radical form of dress for women at the time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in liberal
not bound by traditional ways or beliefs
radical proponents of spelling reform would have every word spelled "just the way it sounds"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in wonderful
slang
of the very best kind
surfing conditions at virtually all of the beaches along the coast were truly radical
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in revolutionary
a person who favors rapid and sweeping changes especially in laws and methods of government
radicals staged large, violent protests in the hopes of toppling the government
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of radical
Bracey Harris, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026
The radical theologian Thomas Müntzer predicted an apocalyptic social leveling, ultimately producing a kind of egalitarian utopia.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Then the Department of Justice ordered federal prosecutors and the FBI to investigate Good’s family for ties to left-wing radicals, leading several prosecutors to resign.
—The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for radical
Adjective
Though most recalls don't succeed, more communities are taking this radical step to try to fend off the AI construction boom.
—Bracey Harris, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026
The radical theologian Thomas Müntzer predicted an apocalyptic social leveling, ultimately producing a kind of egalitarian utopia.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
She was abducted from UC Berkeley by a small cadre of Bay Area militant radicals, who demanded her family pay to feed the poor en masse.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Then the Department of Justice ordered federal prosecutors and the FBI to investigate Good’s family for ties to left-wing radicals, leading several prosecutors to resign.
—The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for radical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for radical
Adjective
-
In 2024, Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation that prohibits cities and counties from creating their own heat exposure protections for outdoor workers—a move critics say limits local efforts to address extreme working conditions.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The technology is aimed primarily at reducing the extreme physical strain experienced by artillery crews.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
On the one hand, content perceived as liberal or critical of the government often faces backlash from various elements.—
Taran Khan,
The Dial,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The court’s three liberal justices — Sonia Sotomayor, Ketanji Brown Jackson and Elena Kagan — dissented.—
Faith Bugenhagen,
Austin American Statesman,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Even a spontaneous side order of roasted carrots with pomegranate yogurt is haunting me, in a wonderful way.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Jim has a wonderful history with Cannes.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Among the first lessons that Iran’s Islamic revolutionaries learned after coming to power in 1979 was that their best ally against American power was American democracy.—
Karim Sadjadpour,
The Atlantic,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The organizers were arrested and denounced by authorities as counter-revolutionaries.—
Azadeh Moaveni,
New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Rabies is a preventable viral disease that is most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Based on the rabid demand and explosive growth of Kylie Cosmetics, the company drew the attention of the business press.—
Nate Freeman,
Vanity Fair,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
One is to follow the approach of Minnesota and other progressive states and convert deductions or exclusions to refundable credits.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Thirty-five study participants received relaxation therapy, consisting of deep breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation techniques.—
Maggie O'Neill,
Outside,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
That said, there are some great hotel options, as well.—
Jenna Curcio,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The more complex the problems become, the greater the demands on those external resources, while those resources themselves — due to the increasing specialization of the nature of the assignments — become less available, less comprehensive, and less sufficient overall.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Twenty years after the end of Laguna Beach, Lauren Conrad, Stephen Colletti and Kristin Cavallari are having an unconventional high school reunion.—
Kirsten Chuba,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2026
-
But the highest threat still comes from Iran’s unconventional arsenal, like drones, fast-attack small vessels and even unmanned boats that are filled with explosives.—
Annette Choi,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Radical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/radical. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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