extremism
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of extremism
Explanation
Extremism is a political or religious philosophy that's very far from the mainstream. Because it's so different from the average person's politics. being an anarchist is often considered extremism. When someone's beliefs are considered to be extreme by most people — if they think, for example, that people should be executed for eating certain foods or using certain words — that person is said to practice extremism, and is labelled an extremist. These words are almost always used in a derogatory way, by people who see themselves as centrist or moderate. The Latin root is extremus, "outermost" or "farthest."
Vocabulary lists containing extremism
President Biden's Inaugural Speech (January 2021)
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"Ideas Live On" by Benazir Bhutto (2007)
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“Address to the United Nations Youth Assembly” by Malala Yousafzai
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This is one of the ways extremism develops broadly, especially for teenagers, online.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 23, 2026
"Hate speech leads to hate crimes. Hate speech leads to terrorism, extremism and we are here to fight all that in all legal ways. In all peaceful ways."
From BBC ● May 22, 2026
He slammed the expulsion of his ambassador, saying it smacked of "extremism."
From Barron's ● May 20, 2026
“SPLC remains committed to exposing extremism, equipping the public with knowledge and defending the rights and safety of marginalized communities,” a spokesman for the organization said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 15, 2026
“We will defeat the forces of extremism and militancy with the power of the people,” she declared.
From "Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Changed the World" by Malala Yousafzai
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
