extremist

American  

[ik-stree-mist] / ɪkˈstri mɪst /

noun

1. a person who goes to extremes, especially in political matters.

2. a supporter or advocate of extreme doctrines or practices.

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adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to extremists.

extremist British  

/ ɪkˈstriːmɪst /

noun

1. a person who favours or resorts to immoderate, uncompromising, or fanatical methods or behaviour, esp in being politically radical

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or characterized by immoderate or excessive actions, opinions, etc

Other Word Forms

• extremism noun

Etymology

Origin of extremist

First recorded in 1840–50; extreme + -ist

Example Sentences

Farouk was authorised to make contact with Saadaoui after detectives linked several Facebook pages he had set up using fakes names to spread Islamic extremist views, Greater Manchester Police said.

From BBC

Al-Sharaa promised to protect Syria’s minorities and excise extremists among his allies.

From Los Angeles Times

But extremist elements remain within the ranks of Syria’s security forces.

From The Wall Street Journal

Afghans who worked alongside US troops during almost two decades of war were once promised a home in the United States to shelter them from the extremist intolerance of the Taliban.

From Barron's

A spokesman for the Syrian interior ministry said the government is evaluating thousands of Syrian security members to get rid of possible extremists.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• fanatic
• zealot