extremism

American  

[ik-stree-miz-uhm] / ɪkˈstri mɪz əm /

noun

1. a tendency or disposition to go to extremes or an instance of going to extremes, especially in political matters.

   leftist extremism; the extremism of the Nazis.

---

Etymology

Origin of extremism

First recorded in 1860–65; extreme + -ism

Example Sentences

Since then, Australia has tightened laws aimed at fighting extremism as well as gun-control rules.

From The Wall Street Journal

He said: "The terror attack then triggered even more antisemitism, showing the depths of extremism faced by Jews and all our British society."

From BBC

In his statement, Mr Ghaffur said the former MP had "played an important role in challenging extremism and promoting community cohesion" after the London bombings in 2005.

From BBC

First, the Syrian Kurds are, like their Iraqi Peshmerga cousins, an exception in a region too often addicted to criminal extremism.

From The Wall Street Journal

Politically they cluster around the middle and dislike extremism and overreach.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bigotry
• hatred
• intolerance
• zeal
• zealotry