EXTREMISM Synonyms: 18 Similar and Opposite Words

extremism

noun

Definition of extremism

as in excessiveness

belief in and support for ideas that are very far from what most people consider correct or reasonable political extremism

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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 extremism Many reform advocates who are concerned about political extremism have proposed changing primary election laws. — Robert Boatright, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2026 Barber argued that unfettered capitalism and the backlash to it, which was increasingly expressed through forms of fundamentalist extremism, although in contest with each other, were both a danger to democracies. — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026 Islamic extremism continues, and al Qaida is again active in an Afghanistan controlled by the Taliban. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 21 Sep. 2026 Western and Asian governments feared the tenacious insurgencies could help foster Islamic extremism in Southeast Asia. — Teresa Cerojano, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for extremism

Recent Examples of Synonyms for extremism

Noun

The excessiveness of Ken Russell, Joe Coleman, Tasha Tudor, clowns, migraines, Priscilla Presley, and the Winchester Mystery House.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
This excessiveness can hinder critical knowledge building because of the sheer amount of information that can be accessed simultaneously at any time.

— Carmen Daniela Maier, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026

Definition of excessiveness

Noun

Trump is right to want to tame inequality, scale back some of the excesses of globalization, and secure supply chains of critical goods.

— Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026
In the 40 years since, every facet of Spacemen 3’s story has been turned over and generously embellished, resulting in an excess of grandeur and foresight projected onto the duo at the heart of it.

— Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of excess

Noun

In some instances, student radicalism spilled over into yakuza activities.

— Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
But with the midterms approaching, Republicans are increasingly frustrated by the unexpected bromance, which threatens the party’s message about Democratic radicalism.

— Steve Peoples, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of radicalism

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extremes

extremism

extremist

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“Extremism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extremism. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of extremism

noun

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