extreme 1 of 2

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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extreme

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noun

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 of extreme in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The two campaigns’ robust travel schedules are a result in part of the race’s utter unpredictability — and the extreme closeness of the polling in many states. Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024 There are also communities of people online who harbor an extreme hatred of AI regardless of how it’s been applied, and will go out of their way to condemn and avoid interacting with it. Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 25 Oct. 2024
Noun
During the neutral phase, trade winds and ocean temperatures tend to be closer to normal without extremes triggered by El Niño or La Niña. Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 14 Oct. 2024 No one films the ocean as a proxy for emotional extremes like Alfonso Cuarón. Alison Herman, Variety, 11 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for extreme 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'extreme.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Thesaurus Entries Near extreme

Cite this Entry

“Extreme.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extreme. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

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