Synonyms of radical

radical 1 of 2

adjective

ˈra-di-kəl 

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

• extreme
• revolutionary
• rabid
• extremist
• ultra
• fanatic
• violent
• subversive
• revolutionist
• reactionary
• wild

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• conservative
• moderate
• traditional
• conventional
• middle-of-the-road
• progressive
• liberal
• unrevolutionary
• orthodox
• nonrevolutionary
• temperate

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

• liberal
• progressive
• unconventional
• modern
• contemporary
• nontraditional
• nonconventional
• unorthodox
• advanced
• broad-minded
• open-minded
• extreme
• nonorthodox
• permissive
• lenient
• tolerant
• impartial
• large-minded
• unbiased
• forbearing
• indulgent
• objective

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• conservative
• traditional
• conventional
• orthodox
• old-fashioned
• rigid
• strict
• hard
• dogmatic
• stodgy
• doctrinal
• nonprogressive
• hidebound
• reactionary
• intolerant
• bigoted
• narrow-minded
• blinkered
• unreconstructed

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

• wonderful
• great
• excellent
• terrific
• awesome
• beautiful
• fabulous
• lovely
• fantastic
• superb
• stellar
• marvelous
• prime
• classic
• fine
• hot
• famous
• brave
• cool
• neat
• sensational
• divine
• quality
• heavenly
• noble
• splendid
• superior
• exceptional
• slick
• groovy
• good
• grand
• choice
• nifty
• immense
• high-class
• superlative
• top
• cracking
• righteous
• mean
• dandy
• keen
• first-rate
• first-class
• swell
• frontline
• par excellence
• banner
• dynamite
• capital
• fab
• topping
• top-notch
• too much
• sterling
• blue-chip
• prize
• peachy
• unsurpassed
• top-shelf
• dope
• bumper
• blue-ribbon
• out-of-sight
• decent
• out of this world
• crackerjack
• boss
• supernal
• topflight
• better
• special
• classical
• number one
• gone
• acceptable
• traditional
• fantabulous
• first-string
• bully
• peachy keen
• hype
• adequate
• wizard
• top-of-the-line
• A1
• tip-top
• satisfactory
• corking
• down
• gangbusters
• prizewinning
• bang-up
• jim-dandy
• A-OK
• primo
• five-star
• brag
• bonny
• tolerable
• all right
• four-star
• boffo
• fancy
• phat
• numero uno
• gilt-edged
• OK
• premium
• passable
• high-grade
• standard
• high-test
• select
• superfine

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• poor
• terrible
• awful
• vile
• pathetic
• rotten
• wretched
• atrocious
• lousy
• bad
• unsatisfactory
• inferior
• execrable
• low-grade
• substandard
• mediocre
• second-class
• middling
• second-rate

radical

2 of 2

noun

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

• revolutionary
• extremist
• rebel
• revolutionist
• crazy
• reformer
• anarchist
• leftist
• insurgent
• progressive
• reformist
• lefty
• red
• agitator
• subversive
• separatist
• separationist
• young Turk
• secessionist
• insurrectionist
• anarch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• moderate
• conservative
• Tory
• reactionary
• traditionalist
• rightist
• middle-of-the-roader
• fuddy-duddy
• standpatter

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of radical

Adjective

The mass layoff plan, which would represent the most radical overhaul in the firm's nearly 90-year history, is staunchly opposed by German lawmakers and powerful labor unions. — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 10 July 2026

His radical-transparency platform reads especially prescient today. — Sean Gregory, Time, 10 July 2026

Noun

Consciously or otherwise, Jefferson was quoting from a speech delivered by the English radical Richard Rumbold moments before he was executed for high treason in 1685. — Literary Hub, 15 June 2026

The actor got his start on Family Ties, an '80s sitcom about the Keaton family, whose matriarch and patriarch were once 1960s radicals now attempting to raise their Reagan-era children in suburbia. — Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 9 June 2026