EXTREMISM Synonyms: 18 Similar and Opposite Words

extremism

noun

Definition of extremism

as in excessiveness

belief in and support for ideas that are very far from what most people consider correct or reasonable political extremism

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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 extremism Federal prosecutors accused Heidi Beirich, an expert on political extremism and a former director of the nonprofit’s intelligence project, of overseeing payments to informants working undercover in a variety of hate groups. — Jeremy Roebuck, Washington Post, 12 Aug. 2026 And what was shocking to me is that very few people mentioned the Thiel relationship - the depth of the Thiel relationship - or the extremism of the ideas behind it. — Tonya Mosley, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026 On the eve of the primary, El-Sayed once again campaigned with Piker, which Republicans pointed to as evidence of a broader ideological extremism. — Nik Popli, Time, 5 Aug. 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 See All Example Sentences for extremism

Recent Examples of Synonyms for extremism

Noun

This excessiveness can hinder critical knowledge building because of the sheer amount of information that can be accessed simultaneously at any time.

— Carmen Daniela Maier, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026

Definition of excessiveness

Noun

Khodarkovsky’s Asian comparisons also fail to explain the particular degree of excess in the Russian political system.

— Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
Bugatti Destrier Bugatti Destrier If Monterey is about excess, the Bugatti Destrier may be the ultimate example.

— Josh Max, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of excess

Noun

Throughout much of the Cold War, regional alliances held off both Soviet communism and Arab radicalism, which meant that the United States felt the need to intervene only rarely and briefly.

— Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026
Like the Fondation Cartier, PAC and the Shed package their radicalism in deluxe architectural confections.

— Justin Davidson, Curbed, 29 July 2026

Definition of radicalism

Noun

This is where the irrationality of antisemitic conspiracy gains no purchase among a reasoning and pragmatic populace; where government is led by people who grasp, and embrace, the seriousness of their responsibilities.

— Rory Lancman, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2026
Despite the seriocomic set-up, as Vibeke gets more unstable, Mengel refuses to play her irrationality for laughs, instead taking the more difficult route of earnestness.

— Jessica Kiang, Variety, 7 July 2026

Definition of irrationality

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extremes

extremism

extremist

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“Extremism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extremism. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of extremism

noun

Example Sentences

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