Extreme — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ik-ˈstrēm/ ex·treme

Meaning & Definition of Extreme

Extreme (adjective)

  1. existing in a very high degree
  2. going to great or exaggerated lengths, radical
  3. exceeding the ordinary, usual, or expected

Extreme (noun)

  1. something situated at or marking one end or the other of a range
  2. the first term or the last term of a mathematical proportion
  3. the major term or minor term of a syllogism

Extreme (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. most distant from a center

    "spacecraft that is specially designed to explore the extreme edge of our solar system"

    similar: farthermost, farthest, furthermost, furthest, outermost, outmost, remotest, ultimate, utmost
    related: aftermost, rearmost, sternmost
    opposite: inmost, innermost, nearest
    near: intermediate, medial, median, mid, middle, midmost

  2. being very far from the center of public opinion

    "their extreme political views attracted only a small band of followers"

    similar: extremist, fanatic, rabid, radical, revolutionary, revolutionist, ultra
    related: subversive, violent, wild, reactionary
    opposite: middle-of-the-road, nonrevolutionary, unrevolutionary
    near: conservative, moderate, temperate, conventional, orthodox, traditional, liberal, progressive

  3. going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount

    "in their extreme zeal the members of the cult are willing to do whatever their leader dictates"

    similar: baroque, devilish, excessive, exorbitant, extravagant, fancy, immoderate, inordinate, insane, intolerable, lavish, over-the-top, overdue, overextravagant, overmuch, overweening, plethoric, steep, stiff, towering, unconscionable, undue, unmerciful, a bit much
    related: boundless, endless, immeasurable, infinite, limitless, unbearable, unjustifiable, unwarranted, improper, inappropriate, thick, unseemly, unrestrained
    opposite: middling, moderate, modest, reasonable, temperate
    near: deficient, inadequate, insufficient, minimal, minimum

Extreme (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in tip, extremity

    similar: extremity, tip, vertex, acme, apex, apogee, capstone, climax, crescendo, crest, crown, culmination, head, height, high noon, high-water mark, meridian, ne plus ultra, noon, noontime, peak, pinnacle, sum, summit, tip-top, top, zenith, bloom, blossom, flood tide, flower, glory, heyday, prime, cap, ceiling, roof, high, highlight, highspot
    opposite: abyss, base, foot, minimum, bottom, nadir, rock bottom

  2. as in maximum, outside

    similar: max, maximum, most, outside, best, ultimate, utmost
    opposite: least, minimum

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Extreme

The most common words with a similar meaning to Extreme:

farthermost, farthest, furthermost, furthest, outermost, outmost, remotest, ultimate, utmost, extremist, fanatic, rabid, radical, revolutionary, revolutionist, ultra, baroque, devilish, excessive, exorbitant, extravagant, fancy, immoderate, inordinate, insane, intolerable, lavish, over-the-top, overdue, overextravagant, overmuch, overweening, plethoric, steep, stiff, towering, unconscionable, undue, unmerciful, a bit much

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Extreme

Words with the opposite meaning of Extreme:

inmost, innermost, nearest, middle-of-the-road, nonrevolutionary, unrevolutionary, middling, moderate, modest, reasonable, temperate, abyss, base, foot, minimum, bottom, nadir, rock bottom, least

Related Words for Extreme

aftermost, rearmost, sternmost, subversive, violent, wild, reactionary, boundless, endless, immeasurable, infinite, limitless, unbearable, unjustifiable, unwarranted, improper, inappropriate, thick, unseemly, unrestrained

Near Antonyms of Extreme

intermediate, medial, median, mid, middle, midmost, conservative, conventional, orthodox, traditional, liberal, progressive, deficient, inadequate, insufficient, minimal

Word Forms of Extreme

Derived words: extremeness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Extreme

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin extremus, superlative of exter, exterus being on the outside exterior

First known use: 1605

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Extreme

Words & Phrases Containing Extreme

extreme risk law, extreme risk protection order, extreme unction, in the extreme, from one extreme to the other, opposite/other extreme, go to extreme/great lengths

Frequently Asked Questions about Extreme

What does "Extreme" mean?

"Extreme" means existing in a very high degree. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: existing in a very high degree. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Extreme"?

Other words for "Extreme" include farthermost, farthest, furthermost, furthest, outermost, outmost, remotest and ultimate. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Extreme" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Extreme"?

There are 105 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Extreme". Common alternatives include farthermost, farthest, furthermost, furthest, outermost, outmost, remotest, ultimate, utmost and extremist.

What is the opposite of "Extreme"?

Antonyms of "Extreme" include inmost, innermost, nearest, middle-of-the-road, nonrevolutionary, unrevolutionary, middling and moderate. Near antonyms include intermediate, medial, median and mid.

How do you use "Extreme" in a sentence?

Examples of "Extreme" in a sentence: "spacecraft that is specially designed to explore the extreme edge of our solar system"; "their extreme political views attracted only a small band of followers"; "in their extreme zeal the members of the cult are willing to do whatever their leader dictates".

Is "Extreme" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Extreme" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Extreme" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Extreme" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.

How do you pronounce "Extreme"?

"Extreme" is pronounced /ik-ˈstrēm/ and divided into syllables as ex·treme.