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
John Winsor, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
These are cancer treatments that enable the immune system to kill cancer cells, rather than using the more traditional treatment methods including chemotherapy, radiation and radical surgery, which often have harrowing and sometimes lifelong side effects.
—Richard Goldberg, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2025
The Editors, National Review, 22 May 2025
The attack prompted many Americans to vent their dislike of the nation’s for-profit health system, and made Mr. Mangione a visible foil for an administration that says radicals are besieging the nation.
—Hurubie Meko, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for radical
Adjective
Most enterprises are working within legacy systems, procurement requirements, and compliance barriers that make radical change hard.
—John Winsor, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
These are cancer treatments that enable the immune system to kill cancer cells, rather than using the more traditional treatment methods including chemotherapy, radiation and radical surgery, which often have harrowing and sometimes lifelong side effects.
—Richard Goldberg, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2025
Noun
As this attack reminds us, radicals who seek to destroy Israel also hate America.
—The Editors, National Review, 22 May 2025
The attack prompted many Americans to vent their dislike of the nation’s for-profit health system, and made Mr. Mangione a visible foil for an administration that says radicals are besieging the nation.
—Hurubie Meko, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for radical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for radical
Adjective
-
As shocking and extreme as this season was, all paths led here.—
Jennifer Adams,
StyleCaster,
5 June 2025
-
The suit cites the extreme conditions within the CECOT megaprison, known by its acronym in Spanish, where prisoners sleep in crowded cells with bunks three levels high and are not allowed to go outside or have visitors of any kind.—
Rebecca Beitsch,
The Hill,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
Her brand at the time was something like the Obama of the antipodes: a liberal media darling, icon of the global anti-Trump resistance, transitioning smoothly from lofty oratory to easygoing relatability.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
-
Jackson, one of the court's most liberal justices, wrote that her colleagues may be unintentionally showing preferential treatment for the Trump administration.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
8 June 2025
Adjective
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Into this mid-1980s maelstrom stepped the fanzines and a wonderful array of titles.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
7 June 2025
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The English cook and writer’s 2006 book is a heartfelt hymn for wonderful food and flavors, without hours spent toiling in the kitchen or overly formal settings.—
Hayley Maitland,
Vogue,
7 June 2025
Noun
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But because of World War I and the sabotage by Arab revolutionaries and T.E. Lawrence, only the segment from Damascus to Medina was completed.—
Taylor Luck,
Christian Science Monitor,
6 June 2025
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Zsa-zsa’s many enemies include American secret agents, an international business consortium, and a well-armed band of revolutionaries, led by a man named Sergio (Richard Ayoade).—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
29 May 2025
Adjective
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But then a summer came and went, with rabid fans left waiting (due to the writers' and actors' guild strikes) to see which Fisher brother, if any, Belly chooses in the end of the onscreen adaptation.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
20 May 2025
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Lawrence often has this frisky, rabid grin that’s irresistible to watch but also scary.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
17 May 2025
Adjective
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And maybe that sentiment contributed to the election of Bill de Blasio, who did run explicitly on being the most progressive candidate in the crowded 2013 primary.—
Eric Lach,
New Yorker,
8 June 2025
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Having said that, there is scope to be more expansive with his varied passing range; around 8.5 per cent of Todibo’s passes last season were progressive — just 11 top-flight centre-backs look forward with their passes less often.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
7 June 2025
Adjective
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No putt was more important than his 20-foot par putt up the ridge on No. 9 to finish off a great round the right way.—
Doug Ferguson,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2025
-
The idea was to allow developers to build more profitable market-rate apartments using greater height and density while providing financial support to balance out the lower rents for workforce tenants.—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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This unconventional talent pool helped Tesla streamline operations and scale faster than legacy automakers expected.—
David Villa,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
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With these bold stylistic choices by adapter John Hildreth and director Heather Currie, the play satirizes contemporary American society in an unconventional take on the science fiction classic.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Radical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/radical. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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