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 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 The destruction of the Iraqi state helped create a vacuum in which violent extremism evolved and flourished. — Ayman M. Mohyeldin, Vanity Fair, 11 Sep. 2026 Europol does not keep statistics on nihilistic violent extremism because definitions of it differ and acts can fall into the category of ordinary criminality as well as terrorism. — Lorne Cook, Fortune, 8 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

Uncover dough and moisten hands in water, shaking off excess.

— Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Oct. 2026
Trump says the Biden administration set those fees higher than necessary and built up a surplus, and the White House is framing the checks as a return of that excess.

— Sydney Lake, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of excess

Noun

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
But with the midterms approaching, Republicans are increasingly frustrated by the unexpected bromance, which threatens the party's message about Democratic radicalism.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of radicalism

Noun

In other words, emotion, empathy and irrationality could be seen as some of the most powerful counterweights to AI.

— Billy J. Stratton, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026
This is where the irrationality of antisemitic conspiracy gains no purchase among a reasoning and pragmatic populace; where government is led by people who grasp, and embrace, the seriousness of their responsibilities.

— Rory Lancman, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of irrationality

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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 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of extremism

noun

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