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
Dillon died of blunt force trauma of his head and right upper extremity, a spokesperson for the medical examiner’s office said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 3 June 2024
The victim also had blunt force injuries to his head, torso and extremities as well as puncture wounds from a knife to his lung, esophagus, chest and lower abdomen.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 30 May 2024
The cynical extremity of the Republican response to the 2012 attack on U.S. facilities in Benghazi, Libya, blended a growing penchant for far-right conspiracy theories with Republican attempts to delegitimize any foreign policy initiative supported by the Democratic Party.
—Ben Rhodes, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2021
And the welding worked — no extremities have been stolen in the nearly 20 years since, according to the Star archives.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for extremity 
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 3 June 2024
The victim also had blunt force injuries to his head, torso and extremities as well as puncture wounds from a knife to his lung, esophagus, chest and lower abdomen.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 30 May 2024
The cynical extremity of the Republican response to the 2012 attack on U.S. facilities in Benghazi, Libya, blended a growing penchant for far-right conspiracy theories with Republican attempts to delegitimize any foreign policy initiative supported by the Democratic Party.
—Ben Rhodes, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2021
And the welding worked — no extremities have been stolen in the nearly 20 years since, according to the Star archives.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 12 June 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 7 Jul. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share