extremism

noun

ex·​trem·​ism ik-ˈstrē-ˌmi-zəm 

1

: the quality or state of being extreme

2

: advocacy of extreme measures or views : radicalism

extremist

ik-ˈstrē-mist 

noun or adjective

Examples of extremism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This practice makes the entrance into extremism more palatable for young, impressionable people by masking violence behind seemingly harmless mechanics. —Arthur Coelho Bezerra, The Conversation, 14 May 2025

The next pope must navigate the rise of far-right extremism and authoritarianism in the U.S. and around the world. —John Bacon, USA Today, 2 May 2025

Alan Feuer covers extremism and political violence for The Times, focusing on the criminal cases involving the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol and against former President Donald J. Trump. —Zolan Kanno-Youngs, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025

In humanizing Saw, Andor blows up Rogue One’s façade of a placid Rebellion being the more noble one and urges us to breathe in the dangerous but intoxicating possibility that extremism might have a role to play in revolution. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for extremism

• endemism

Kids Definition

extremism

noun

ex·​trem·​ism ik-ˈstrē-ˌmiz-əm 

1

: the quality or state of being extreme

2

: belief in and support for extreme ideas especially in politics

extremist

-məst 

noun or adjective