extreme

1 of 2

adjective

ex·​treme ik-ˈstrēm How to pronounce extreme (audio)
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
4
a
: most advanced or thoroughgoing
the extreme political left
b
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
b
: highest degree : maximum
3
: an extreme measure or expedient
going to extremes
Phrases
in the extreme
: to the greatest possible extent
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
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.
Adjective
The inflation/interest rate spiral is killing business confidence, as most Russian enterprises can't survive for too long with current extreme interest rates. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2024 Silicon revolutionized the industry but now faces limits due to heat and miniaturization as defined by Moore's Law. Diamond, being an extreme material, offers unparalleled heat dissipation and fast electron movement. New Atlas, 30 Nov. 2024
Noun
And as the tension and fear mount, being trapped in a glorified tin can in the North Sea drives the survivors to paranoid extremes. Matt Kamen, WIRED, 30 Nov. 2024 While this behavior might be superficially associated with narcissism, such a leap to extremes oversimplifies human behavior and ignores the personal experiences, coping mechanisms, and situational contexts that shape it. Quora, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for extreme 

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

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of extreme was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near extreme

Cite this Entry

“Extreme.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extreme. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

extreme

1 of 2 adjective
ex·​treme ik-ˈstrēm How to pronounce extreme (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on extreme

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