EXTREME Synonyms: 141 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'extreme' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of extreme are excessive , exorbitant , extravagant , immoderate , and inordinate . While all these words mean "going beyond a normal limit," extreme may imply an approach to the farthest limit possible or conceivable but commonly means only to a notably high degree. // extreme shyness

Q: When is it sensible to use 'excessive' instead of 'extreme'?

Although the words excessive and extreme have much in common, excessive implies an amount or degree too great to be reasonable or acceptable. // excessive punishment

Q: Where would 'exorbitant' be a reasonable alternative to 'extreme'?

The words exorbitant and extreme are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exorbitant implies a departure from accepted standards regarding amount or degree. // exorbitant prices

Q: When might 'extravagant' be a better fit than 'extreme'?

The meanings of extravagant and extreme largely overlap; however, extravagant implies an indifference to restraints imposed by truth, prudence, or good taste. // extravagant claims for the product

Q: In what contexts can 'immoderate' take the place of 'extreme'?

The words immoderate and extreme can be used in similar contexts, but immoderate implies lack of desirable or necessary restraint. // immoderate spending

Q: When could 'inordinate' be used to replace 'extreme'?

While the synonyms inordinate and extreme are close in meaning, inordinate implies an exceeding of the limits dictated by reason or good judgment. // inordinate pride

extreme 1 of 2

adjective

ik-ˈstrēm

Definition of extreme next

as in farthest

most distant from a center spacecraft that is specially designed to explore the extreme edge of our solar system

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Relevance

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as in radical

being very far from the center of public opinion their extreme political views attracted only a small band of followers

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as in excessive

going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount in their extreme zeal the members of the cult are willing to do whatever their leader dictates

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extreme

2 of 2

noun

as in extremity

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as in most

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word extreme different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of extreme are excessive, exorbitant, extravagant, immoderate, and inordinate. While all these words mean "going beyond a normal limit," extreme may imply an approach to the farthest limit possible or conceivable but commonly means only to a notably high degree.

extreme shyness

When is it sensible to use excessive instead of extreme?

Although the words excessive and extreme have much in common, excessive implies an amount or degree too great to be reasonable or acceptable.

excessive punishment

Where would exorbitant be a reasonable alternative to extreme?

The words exorbitant and extreme are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exorbitant implies a departure from accepted standards regarding amount or degree.

exorbitant prices

When might extravagant be a better fit than extreme?

The meanings of extravagant and extreme largely overlap; however, extravagant implies an indifference to restraints imposed by truth, prudence, or good taste.

extravagant claims for the product

In what contexts can immoderate take the place of extreme?

The words immoderate and extreme can be used in similar contexts, but immoderate implies lack of desirable or necessary restraint.

immoderate spending

When could inordinate be used to replace extreme?

While the synonyms inordinate and extreme are close in meaning, inordinate implies an exceeding of the limits dictated by reason or good judgment.

inordinate pride

Examples Sentences

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 extreme

Adjective

As the world faces increasingly extreme weather, research is finding that heat waves are being underestimated in some parts of the world. —

Lauren Sommer, NPR, 24 Dec. 2024 This flare also produced a coronal mass ejection, which formed part of the chain of CMEs that contributed to the extreme and long-duration G5 geomagnetic storm aimed at Earth. —

Ryan French, Space.com, 23 Dec. 2024

Noun

However, what made the decision controversial among fans, even those from New York — especially those from New York — is that in many ways, the episode is a celebration of the city, capturing through the show’s extremes both what’s terrific and terrifically terrible about New York. —

Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2024 The resulting object is uncanny in the extreme, a manifestation of how humanity might appear from a cyborg’s perspective. —

Glenn Adamson, ARTnews.com, 16 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for extreme

Recent Examples of Synonyms for extreme

Adjective

That's close to the farthest point in its orbit, which is 252,088 miles away, according to NASA.

Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2023
Shortly before entering that orbit, NASA says Orion will travel 57, 287 miles beyond the moon at its farthest point from the lunar surface.

Lee Roop | lroop@al.com, al, 23 Nov. 2022