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
The good news is that the tight end was showing movement in his extremities, but the medical staff immediately placed him on a backboard to be carted off the field.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 24 Nov. 2024
Castro said the sergeant, whose name was not released, suffered bullet wounds to his lower extremities.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2024
An ensemble of life sized characters with missing legs and mismatched extremities sit across the bar.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American-Statesman, 24 Oct. 2024
The man, also struck in his lower extremities, remains hospitalized.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for extremity 
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.
Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 24 Nov. 2024
Castro said the sergeant, whose name was not released, suffered bullet wounds to his lower extremities.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2024
An ensemble of life sized characters with missing legs and mismatched extremities sit across the bar.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American-Statesman, 24 Oct. 2024
The man, also struck in his lower extremities, remains hospitalized.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for extremity
Dictionary Entries Near extremity
Cite this Entry
“Extremity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extremity. Accessed 22 Dec. 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