extreme

1 of 2

adjective

ex·​treme ik-ˈstrēm 

1

a

: existing in a very high degree

extreme poverty

b

: going to great or exaggerated lengths : radical

went on an extreme diet

c

: exceeding the ordinary, usual, or expected

extreme weather conditions

2

archaic : last

3

: situated at the farthest possible point from a center

the country's extreme north

pictured on the extreme right in the photo

4

a

: most advanced or thoroughgoing

a member of the extreme political right/left

b

: maximum

5

a

: of, relating to, or being an outdoor activity or a form of a sport (such as skiing) that involves an unusually high degree of physical risk

extreme mountain biking down steep slopes

b

: involved in an extreme sport

an extreme snowboarder

extremeness noun

extreme

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: something situated at or marking one end or the other of a range

extremes of heat and cold

b

: the first term or the last term of a mathematical proportion

c

: the major term or minor term of a syllogism

2

a

: a very pronounced or excessive degree

less extremes of heat

b

: highest degree : maximum

wind speeds reaching their extreme

3

: an extreme measure or expedient

going to extremes

Phrases

in the extreme

: to the greatest possible extent

Synonyms of extreme

Adjective

• farthest

Choose the Right Synonym for extreme

excessive, immoderate, inordinate, extravagant, exorbitant, extreme mean going beyond a normal limit.

excessive implies an amount or degree too great to be reasonable or acceptable.

excessive punishment

immoderate implies lack of desirable or necessary restraint.

immoderate spending

inordinate implies an exceeding of the limits dictated by reason or good judgment.

inordinate pride

extravagant implies an indifference to restraints imposed by truth, prudence, or good taste.

extravagant claims for the product

exorbitant implies a departure from accepted standards regarding amount or degree.

exorbitant prices

extreme may imply an approach to the farthest limit possible or conceivable but commonly means only to a notably high degree.

extreme shyness

Examples of extreme in a Sentence

Adjective

The plant is sensitive to extreme heat and cold.

They are living in extreme poverty.

She went on an extreme diet.

Many thought that the punishment was too extreme for the crime.

The plan was rejected as too extreme.

This is an extreme example of what can happen when a company grows too quickly.

He has extreme opinions when it comes to politics.

Members of the extreme right opposed the legislation.

Noun

After spending lavishly for years, the company has now gone to the opposite extreme and has cut expenses drastically.

His mood changed from one extreme to the other.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Not only do wildfires destroy vegetation that would normally soak up some of the rainfall, but their extreme heat can alter the soil, creating a water-repellent layer just below the surface. —Taylor Ward, CNN Money, 14 Nov. 2025

Each year a slew of reports are published to coincide with COP, stressing the huge impact of extreme weather on African countries while pointing out that the continent only contributes about 4% of global carbon emissions. —Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 14 Nov. 2025

Noun

Hunger drives humanity to all kinds of extremes and the worst kinds of horror. —David Beasley, Time, 14 Nov. 2025

This is an industry trend that some are taking to extremes. —New Atlas, 14 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin extremus, superlative of exter, exterus being on the outside — more at exterior

First Known Use

Adjective

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing extreme

• extreme risk law
• extreme risk protection order
• extreme unction
• from one extreme to the other
• go to extreme/great lengths
• in the extreme
• opposite/other extreme

Rhymes for extreme

• abeam
• airstream
• bloodstream
• daydream
• downstream
• esteem
• grapheme
• hakim
• hornbeam
• lexeme
• mainstream
• midstream

Kids Definition

extreme

1 of 2 adjective

ex·​treme ik-ˈstrēm 

1

: existing to a very great degree

extreme heat

extreme poverty

2

: farthest from a center

3

: most advanced or thorough

the extreme political right

4

: relating to a form of a sport that involves an unusually high degree of risk

extreme skiing

extremely adverb

extremeness noun

extreme

2 of 2 noun

1

: something situated as far away as possible from another

extremes of heat and cold

2

: the first term or the last term of a mathematical proportion

3

: a very pronounced or excessive degree

4

: an extraordinary measure

going to extremes