in extremis

adverb

in ex·​tre·​mis ˌin-ik-ˈstrē-məs How to pronounce in extremis (audio) -ˈstrā- How to pronounce in extremis (audio)
: in extreme circumstances
especially : at the point of death

Examples of in extremis in a Sentence

They are helping a family in extremis.
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.
Obama’s decision to use airstrikes only in extremis virtually ensured defeat. Carter Malkasian, Foreign Affairs, 10 Feb. 2020 Throw in batteries, motors, or energy-saving tires that can’t hold up in extremis, and the result is EVs that feel out of their element when they’re driven to the max. IEEE Spectrum, 17 Apr. 2024 Signals of surrender have been spotted rather than the usual screaming at his team in extremis. Tim Ellis, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024 Yang discovers that among famished Chinese in extremis, cannibalism was more widespread than previously known. Andrew J. Nathan, Foreign Affairs, 18 Feb. 2013 See all Example Sentences for in extremis 

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

circa 1530, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of in extremis was circa 1530

Dictionary Entries Near in extremis

Cite this Entry

“In extremis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20extremis. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

in extremis

adverb
in ex·​tre·​mis ˌin-ik-ˈstrē-məs How to pronounce in extremis (audio) -ˈstrā- How to pronounce in extremis (audio)
: at the point of death
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!