extreme 1 of 2

1
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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3

extreme

2 of 2

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

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 extreme
Adjective
And these are both short and long-term outcomes, like extreme fatigue. Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 17 Apr. 2025 Other common culprits include extreme winter cold and late spring frosts that kill flower buds on overwintering branches. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2025
Noun
Many condominiums fall somewhere between these two extremes. Bruce Strom, Sun Sentinel, 6 Apr. 2025 But ultimately, the week ended with a pretty good array of extremes in selling pressure and hedging demand of the sort that should turn the risk-reward more favorable for a reflex bounce before too long. Michael Santoli, CNBC, 5 Apr. 2025 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
Adjective
  • Living in Mexico is a radical act of joy, freedom, and reclamation.
    Essence, Essence, 24 Apr. 2025
  • But against the inertia of an institution built to resist change, even symbolic gestures can seem radical.
    Gemma Allen, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Listen to this article The Aurora City Council at a meeting Tuesday is set to consider changes to the parking ordinance that police say will help with the excessive number of commercial vehicles being parked on city roads.
    R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Meanwhile, excessive rainfall from the weekend storms has led to river and creek flooding in areas south and east of the Kansas City metro.
    Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Between the six patients, there were gunshots to the torso, face and other extremities, Howard said.
    Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
  • But the whole book is a wondrous exploration of the extremities of existence.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Her audience is rabid — this writer among them — for her one-of-a-kind blend of Great American Songbook musical styles and twentysomething-relevant lyrics.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Apr. 2025
  • For all that, Graves can thank his limited menu, which helps keep costs down, and the chain’s rabid fanbase.
    Chase Peterson-Withorn, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Amanda learned in like 10 seconds, which is insane.
    Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2025
  • If 51% of the population is being so underserved, the ratio to opportunity is insane.
    Gemma Allen, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Economic news Consumer sentiment was at the lowest since 2022, which marked the peak of the post-pandemic inflation spike, in the second April reading from the University of Michigan.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Consumer sentiment nosedived in April to the lowest level since the peak of the postpandemic inflation surge as President Trump’s trade battles shake the global economy.
    Tobias Burns, The Hill, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Let the solution sit for a maximum of 20 minutes before scrubbing the bowl with a nylon brush or your toilet brush.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2025
  • The exciting new attraction, opening to the public on April 25, lifts a maximum of four riders on a seated zipline, reaching a height of 100 feet in the air.
    Dominick Williams, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Extreme.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extreme. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on extreme

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!