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
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
In some cases, athletes with upper extremity DVT may also undergo a procedure to remove the clot.
—Lisa Rapaport, EverydayHealth.com, 21 Feb. 2025
Blood flow is redirected to vital organs, while extremities receive less circulation, increasing the risk of frostbite.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
The sanctions were part of a broader U.S. effort to curb the violence in Sudan, which has continued to escalate to war-crime extremities despite multiple attempts at brokering a ceasefire.
—Gord Magill, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
What shocked me the most was the extremity of her vulnerability.
—Sarah Hagi, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for extremity
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.
Lisa Rapaport, EverydayHealth.com, 21 Feb. 2025
Blood flow is redirected to vital organs, while extremities receive less circulation, increasing the risk of frostbite.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
The sanctions were part of a broader U.S. effort to curb the violence in Sudan, which has continued to escalate to war-crime extremities despite multiple attempts at brokering a ceasefire.
—Gord Magill, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
What shocked me the most was the extremity of her vulnerability.
—Sarah Hagi, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for extremity
Cite this Entry
“Extremity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extremity. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share