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
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 radical
Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 5 Aug. 2025
There is a hopeful lesson for the coming years in the transition from Mao’s radical socialism to Deng’s more pragmatic policy of reform and opening.
—Tyler Jost, Foreign Affairs, 4 Aug. 2025
Sam Thielman, New York Times, 20 May 2025
He’s not perceived as a crazy guy who’s a radical, who has scary opinions.
—Nic Juarez, Vulture, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for radical
Adjective
The designation came from assessments made by the Southern Party Law Center, a radical left-wing policy establishment, yet apparently used by the MMPTC.
—Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 5 Aug. 2025
There is a hopeful lesson for the coming years in the transition from Mao’s radical socialism to Deng’s more pragmatic policy of reform and opening.
—Tyler Jost, Foreign Affairs, 4 Aug. 2025
Noun
But there’s also the uncomfortable fact that a black-and-white strip about boomer radicals that ran in alternative newspapers for 25 years has been gentrified into a full-color hardcover published by Mariner, which is owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp.
—Sam Thielman, New York Times, 20 May 2025
He’s not perceived as a crazy guy who’s a radical, who has scary opinions.
—Nic Juarez, Vulture, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for radical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for radical
Adjective
-
The costs of extreme weather, supply chain disruptions, and falling labor productivity are all visible on the horizon, with ample academic research to back them up.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
16 Aug. 2025
-
The danger will remain at very high or extreme levels during the weekend and Monday, days when the heatwave affecting us since the beginning of the month continues.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
It is generally accepted in classical liberal economic thinking that the state should only intervene where there has been a market failure, i.e., where the free market is unable to produce a socially desirable outcome.—
Chris Deubert,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
PiS accuse their liberal opponents of trying to subvert the will of the people and their supporters plan to march in the capital on inauguration day.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Caring, smart and fun with a wonderful calming Zen demeanor.—
Lauren Huff Published,
EW.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Preserving history is wonderful, but so is safety. — Mary Ellen Stepowany, Baltimore Add your voice: Respond to this piece or other Sun content by submitting your own letter.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Dad’s grandfather had been a cabinetmaker by day and a socialist revolutionary by night.—
Nancy Walecki,
The Atlantic,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Her dancers wore Black berets—a symbol of global Black resistance, from the Panthers in the U.S. to Caribbean revolutionaries like Che Guevara and Fidel Castro.—
Richard Fowler,
Forbes.com,
27 July 2025
Adjective
-
Hess toys have been sold since 1964 and have a rabid fan based.—
Chris Morris,
Fortune,
30 July 2025
-
The bars and restaurants around Knoxville are full of rabid fans on gamedays.—
Keith Sharon,
The Tennessean,
28 July 2025
Adjective
-
The erosion of support was the result of a miscalculation: renewable advocates aligned too closely with progressive climate politics, turning an industry once embraced by all into a left-wing cause, alienating conservatives along the way.—
Leo Schwartz,
Fortune,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Part of that is a rejection of decades of progressivism and progressive values, which had become the Establishment.—
Chris Lee,
Vulture,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
There is no greater disparity in the polls than the Sooners checking in at No. 18 in the AP and being the best of the rest among the coaches who voted.—
Tom Layberger,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
By many measures, Alonso was already the greatest home run hitter in Mets history.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The hero’s journey on this show is achieving their unconventional American dream.—
Giana Levy,
Variety,
16 Aug. 2025
-
And when goals did go in, the unconventional trajectory of the Jabulani was oddly fascinating.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Radical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/radical. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share