extremity
noun
ex·trem·i·ty
ik-ˈstre-mə-tē 
plural extremities
1
a
: the farthest or most remote part, section, or point
the island's westernmost extremity
b
: a limb of the body
especially
: a human hand or foot
2
a
: extreme danger or critical need
b
: a moment marked by imminent destruction or death
3
a
: an intense degree
the extremity of his participation—
Saturday Rev.
Saturday Rev.
b
: the utmost degree (as of emotion or pain)
4
: a drastic or desperate act or measure
driven to extremities
Synonyms
Examples of extremity in a Sentence
The extremity of her grief is impossible to imagine.
made offers of aid to the refugees, and of asylum in extremity
Recent Examples on the Web
Even if your extremities feel cold, the inside of your body is effectively heating up.
—Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 July 2024
Major extremity injury is the most common injury, followed by amputation, burn, spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury, the WHO said.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2024
The Leo new moon on August 4 is the time to embrace the good and the bad, the sweet and the sour, and find a middle ground between these extremities.
—Lisa Stardust, refinery29.com, 2 Aug. 2024
The autoimmune disorder of the nervous system often results in progressive, severe muscle stiffness and spasms of the lower extremities and back, according to the Mayo Clinic.
—Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for extremity 
Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 July 2024
Major extremity injury is the most common injury, followed by amputation, burn, spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury, the WHO said.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2024
The Leo new moon on August 4 is the time to embrace the good and the bad, the sweet and the sour, and find a middle ground between these extremities.
—Lisa Stardust, refinery29.com, 2 Aug. 2024
The autoimmune disorder of the nervous system often results in progressive, severe muscle stiffness and spasms of the lower extremities and back, according to the Mayo Clinic.
—Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for extremity
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'extremity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near extremity
Cite this Entry
“Extremity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extremity. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
extremity
noun
ex·trem·i·ty
ik-ˈstrem-ət-ē
plural extremities
1
: the farthest limit, point, or part
2
: an end part of a limb of the body (as a hand or foot)
3
: an extreme degree (as of emotion or pain)
Medical Definition
extremity
noun
ex·trem·i·ty
ik-ˈstrem-ət-ē
plural extremities
1
: the farthest or most remote part, section, or point
2
: a limb of the body
especially
: a human hand or foot
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