radically

American  

[rad-ik-lee] / ˈræd ɪk li /

adjective

1. with regard to origin or root.

2. in a complete or basic manner; thoroughly; fundamentally.

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radically British  

/ ˈrædɪkəlɪ /

adverb

1. thoroughly; completely; fundamentally

   to alter radically

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Other Word Forms

• nonradically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of radically

First recorded in 1600–10; radical + -ly

Explanation

The adverb radically is a great way to say "in an extreme way." When your formerly long-haired friend shows up at work with a crew cut, you could say that she looks radically different. Use radically to describe things that are done in a big way, particularly a change or an extreme position. For example, the government in your state might change radically after an important election. You'll often see the phrase "radically different" used to mean a change that's enormous, possibly even transforming. Though the root of radically, radical, originally meant "root of a word," it came to mean "far-reaching, innovative, or extreme," especially when it describes political views.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

radically

So how do we understand an intelligence radically different from our own?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026

Pocognoli is trying to implement a radically different system to his predecessor.

From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026

A library of radically changed visages, sliced and sculpted to fit the funhouse-mirror beauty standards set by a handful of influential men.

From Salon ● Oct. 1, 2026

Periods in which existing theories struggled to explain observations have sometimes led to radically new frameworks, including Einstein's theory of relativity.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 23, 2026

If the whole structure were radically shrunk, the uninitiated might perceive a vaguely agricultural purpose; the cages might be thought to contain chickens, or mink.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

Related Words

• thoroughly