extremism

1 of 3

noun (1)

ex·trem·ism ik-ˈstrē-ˌmi-zəm

Synonyms of extremism

: the quality or state of being extreme

: advocacy of extreme measures or views : radicalism

extremist

ik-ˈstrē-mist

noun or adjective

extremist

2 of 3

noun (2)

ex·trem·ist -ēmə̇st sometimes -em-

plural -s

: an adherent or advocate of extremism

especially : radical

extremist

3 of 3

adjective

variants or less commonly extremistic

¦⸗(ˌ)⸗¦mistik

: of, relating to, or favoring extremism or extremists

Examples of extremism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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Noun

Fuelled by unhinged online hate and anti-Israel extremism, total violent hate crimes skyrocketed by 97% since 2022, forcing terrified Jewish communities around the world into hiding. — Staff, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026 Raising a resilient generation plus adult role modeling Although there is no single solution to online extremism, parents, educators, technology companies, policymakers and communities all have a role to play. — Larry Magid, Mercury News, 30 July 2026 Researcher Peter Smith testified that the group, known as the True Crime Community, was a novel form of extremism distinguished by its lack of unifying ideology. — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 29 July 2026 Suspect convicted of ties to Islamic extremism Ballout traveled to Lebanon in 2025 with the goal of going to Syria to join the Islamic State group, Berlin prosecutors said Sunday. — Geir Moulson, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for extremism

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

extreme entry 2 + -ist

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1865, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of extremism was in 1865

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

extreme unction

extremism

extremist

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Extremism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extremism. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

extremism

noun

ex·trem·ism ik-ˈstrē-ˌmiz-əm

: the quality or state of being extreme

: belief in and support for extreme ideas especially in politics

extremist

-məst

noun or adjective

extremism

noun (1)

noun (2)

adjective

Examples of extremism in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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