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
Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
Iran is an uncontrollable, radical country that spreads terror and mayhem throughout the Middle East and has continually threatened America.
—Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2026
Father Ed and Bishop Rob Hirschfeld aren’t political radicals.
—Ernesto Burden, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for radical
Adjective
But if Universal really wants to keep relying on these flagship characters, a radical new approach will be in order soon.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
Iran is an uncontrollable, radical country that spreads terror and mayhem throughout the Middle East and has continually threatened America.
—Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
Wood argues that colleges are not only staffed with a disproportionate number of radicals who indoctrinate the students but also have turned everything from dormitory management to the dining halls over to the left.
—Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2026
Father Ed and Bishop Rob Hirschfeld aren’t political radicals.
—Ernesto Burden, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for radical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for radical
Adjective
-
San Francisco taqueria El Faro, credited with inventing the super burrito, may be forced to sell its restaurant, citing an extreme rent increase.—
Loureen Ayyoub,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Such extreme pessimism has historically acted as a contrarian indicator for markets, Hartnett said, with prior lows in sentiment coinciding with key turning points for equities, including in October 2023 and April 2025.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Steyer, a billionaire hedge fund manager turned liberal activist, had support from 9% of Republicans.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The character had been written as white, but Zendaya tried out anyway; her auditioning called the bluff of liberal Hollywood.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Justin’s milkbread bun (for which Jennifer made the dough) was wonderful, but the pork in his sandwich was underseasoned, and there wasn’t enough of it.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The format has an all-powerful ‘Taskmaster’ who, with the help of a loyal assistant, tests the wiles of a panel of comedians over the course of each series by setting them weird and wonderful challenges.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Thanks to a new English book from Boston playwright Kirsten Greenidge, the action is transported from France to 1776-era Boston where Massachusetts revolutionary and patriot Deborah Sampson has disguised herself as a man to fight for independence.—
Jed Gottlieb,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
-
These works follow aging revolutionaries who have given up the fight after being forced into hiding or choosing to raise a family; some have simply grown tired of the struggle.—
Boris Kachka,
The Atlantic,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Throughout season two, rabid fans have started scrutinizing every corner of every scene for Easter eggs, which explains a recent viral post on X about a picture of a cat hanging in the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center’s break room.—
Hershal Pandya,
Vulture,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Yet Idaho’s third-division club is quickly taking its place among a small slice of rabid fan bases outside the MLS.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In 1960, Chevy Chase graduated as valedictorian from Massachusetts' progressive Stockbridge School.—
Joyann Jeffrey,
PEOPLE,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Democrats last year found allies among GOP House members from red districts in progressive states.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In addition to a requirement for a warrant to access Americans' data, critics also want greater protections on how the FBI or other agencies can search communications and how that is reported to the public.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The second half of the weekend will be great for outdoor plans with temperatures in the lower 70s by the afternoon.—
Michael Autovino,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
That’s the impact Figueroa and Messmann hope to have with the boxing club and other unconventional programs at ATLAS.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The Cubs will need more performances like Thielbar’s over the next week or so from potentially unconventional options in key moments because of injuries that have challenged the bullpen’s depth.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Radical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/radical. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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