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

McFillin hosts a podcast called Radically Genuine, in which he argues against mainstream psychiatric practices.

From Slate • Jul. 25, 2025

I will, however, agree with Maxwell Stearns, a law professor at the University of Maryland and author of “Parliamentary America: The Least Radical Means of Radically Repairing Our Broken Democracy.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 5, 2024

The same is true of the museum as a whole; its website lists “Be Radically Inclusive” as one of its guiding principles.

From Washington Post • Oct. 28, 2021

Radically, Lee gave the artists responsible for the comic designs credits for their work.

From BBC • Nov. 12, 2018

Radically or suddenly to change that essentially is to annihilate us.

From The New Avatar and The Destiny of the Soul The Findings of Natural Science Reduced to Practical Studies in Psychology by Buck, J. D. (Jirah Dewey)

Related Words

• thoroughly