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Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of extravagant are excessive, exorbitant, extreme, immoderate, and inordinate. While all these words mean "going beyond a normal limit," extravagant implies an indifference to restraints imposed by truth, prudence, or good taste.

extravagant claims for the product

When is excessive a more appropriate choice than extravagant?

While the synonyms excessive and extravagant are close in meaning, excessive implies an amount or degree too great to be reasonable or acceptable.

excessive punishment

When would exorbitant be a good substitute for extravagant?

The synonyms exorbitant and extravagant are sometimes interchangeable, but exorbitant implies a departure from accepted standards regarding amount or degree.

exorbitant prices

In what contexts can extreme take the place of extravagant?

While in some cases nearly identical to extravagant, extreme may imply an approach to the farthest limit possible or conceivable but commonly means only to a notably high degree.

extreme shyness

Where would immoderate be a reasonable alternative to extravagant?

In some situations, the words immoderate and extravagant are roughly equivalent. However, immoderate implies lack of desirable or necessary restraint.

immoderate spending

When is it sensible to use inordinate instead of extravagant?

The meanings of inordinate and extravagant largely overlap; however, inordinate implies an exceeding of the limits dictated by reason or good judgment.

inordinate pride

Example 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 extravagant Some of her most memorable events have included a secret reception venue, a late-night yacht party in the harbor, an extravagant mountainside 12-course meal served alfresco under the stars, and a masquerade ball complete with stilt walkers and opera singers. Vogue, 13 Feb. 2025 Not everyone dreams of extravagant nuptials—just ask Ruth and Martyn Ridyard, who opted for a cheap and cheerful surprise wedding that went down brilliantly with friends and family. Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025 Valentine's Day is traditionally associated with lavish gifts and extravagant gestures, but this year, choose a gift that expresses love not only for your partner but also for the planet. Christopher Murray, Fox News, 11 Feb. 2025 As for the backyard — equipped with a pool and outdoor seating area with a fireplace — fans may recognize it as the spot where many extravagant parties hosted by the family were held. Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 7 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for extravagant 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extravagant
Adjective
  • Educational freedom, pro-growth tax reform, and personalized health care are priorities being held back by federal and state governments’ wasteful spending and excessive debt.
    Kurt Couchman, National Review, 11 Feb. 2025
  • The comment further fueled the perception that Poppi's marketing practices were wasteful, and the online discussion quickly morphed into a broader critique of how brands allocate large budgets to influencer marketing without considering potential public backlash.
    Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • According to Mock, your professional maid service will not have the proper tools to safely remove excessive mold issues.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2025
  • Comedian and actress Amy Schumer announced last year that she was diagnosed with the rare hormonal disorder, Cushing’s syndrome, which is characterized by excessive production of cortisol.
    Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Smart omissions, like leaving out an expensive or nonessential garnish.
    Kendra Vaculin, Bon Appétit, 11 Feb. 2025
  • This ditches the expensive and not very road-relevant MGU-H (which recovers waste energy from the turbocharger) in place of a much more powerful MGU-K (an electric motor/generator that can power the wheels or regenerate energy under braking) and a larger battery.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Both California and Florida, which have always been disaster-prone states, have seen an increase in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events over the past few years.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025
  • In participating in those extreme acts, Saha said, people fall victim to a group psychology that both permits and encourages more extreme behavior.
    Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Archeologists also found valuable information beneath the Great Wall itself—two residences from the Zhou Dynasty at the northern excavation area.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 20 Feb. 2025
  • These are valuable diplomatic offers given for free.
    Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Your voice is insane.
    Mary Colurso | mcolurso@al.com, al, 4 Apr. 2023
  • But obviously winning the grand jury prize was insane.
    Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 31 Mar. 2023
Adjective
  • Time and time again, criminal approaches to drug policy have proven ineffective, costly and unfair.
    Michael Abrams, Baltimore Sun, 17 Feb. 2025
  • To address landlords’ concerns that following the law would be too onerous or costly, the city launched its property owner support program on Jan. 15.
    Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • But its 11 songs are only a part of the film’s lavish musical treatment, which required an 85-piece orchestra and 60-voice choir.
    Jon Burlingame, Variety, 14 Feb. 2025
  • Adams, a former NYPD officer and Democrat who previously registered as a Republican, was accused by federal prosecutors of taking lavish flights and hotel stays from Turkish businessmen and officials for more than a decade.
    Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 14 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near extravagant

Cite this Entry

“Extravagant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extravagant. Accessed 24 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on extravagant

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