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
Dave Smith, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
When their son Josh (Dylan O’Brien) brings home his new girlfriend Liz (Phoebe Dynevor), Ellen recognizes her as a radical former student, who leads the controversial movement The Change.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2025
Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Sep. 2025
Anti-western radicals around the world are watching.
—Ayaan Hirsi Ali, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for radical
Adjective
Amish are part of the wider Anabaptist movement, which puts heavy emphasis on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, containing some of his most radical and counter-cultural sayings — to love enemies, live simply, bless persecutors, turn the other cheek and to endure sufferings joyfully.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
When their son Josh (Dylan O’Brien) brings home his new girlfriend Liz (Phoebe Dynevor), Ellen recognizes her as a radical former student, who leads the controversial movement The Change.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
Democrats have fostered an environment of evil, emboldening radicals to kill, steal, and destroy.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Sep. 2025
Anti-western radicals around the world are watching.
—Ayaan Hirsi Ali, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for radical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for radical
Adjective
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Women in particular were subjected to extreme violence.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Potential adversaries interpret political action in zero-sum terms; see malice and evil design in mere blunders and coincidence; trumpet necessity rather than navigate choice; and, in extreme cases, invent pretext or promise profit to make more palatable a dubious cause.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The actress has been a lifelong supporter of liberal and progressive causes, from transgender rights to electing more women to political office.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
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Mellon, who once supported liberal social initiatives, later shifted toward conservative views, expressing criticism of large federal welfare programs.—
Jessica Coacci,
Fortune,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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And so for me, baseball is a wonderful place to leave everything, all the mess that the world is in, behind, and just watch these incredibly talented people exceed and do their jobs.—
Alison Weinflash,
Rolling Stone,
31 Oct. 2025
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Scientists have long known that dogs make wonderful companions, offering emotional support and even measurable health benefits to their human owners.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Most of the records on the Haitian revolution were written by people who opposed the revolutionaries.—
Julia Gaffield,
The Conversation,
15 Oct. 2025
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The Mexican actor plays revolutionaries in both season 2 of Star Wars series Andor and new movie musical, Kiss of the Spider Woman.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Rod Wave Elite is a popular high school basketball squad that bounces around the country playing exhibition games to crowds of rabid teens and internet celebrities.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
23 Oct. 2025
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Ed Sheeran is used to playing for tens of thousands of rabid fans in stadiums around the world.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Hamida’s decision not to go to India comes with the recognition that the return of thousands of abducted women to their families wasn’t an indication that society was suddenly progressive.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Oct. 2025
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The actress has been a lifelong supporter of liberal and progressive causes, from transgender rights to electing more women to political office.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The Oppenheim Group's latest agent didn't get off to a great start with fellow soap alum Chrishell Stause.—
Jillian Sederholm,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
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At great risk, Hamida disguises herself as a khes (a thick cotton cloth) seller and enters the house to plan with Lajo an escape route.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The combination of a conservative politician with a rock-and-roll past — Japan’s first female prime minister behind a drum kit and once on a bike — has helped shape her public image as both disciplined and unconventional.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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OpenAI has unconventional roots.—
Nikita Ostrovsky,
Time,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Radical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/radical. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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