noun
adjective
Other Word Forms
- extremism noun
Etymology
Origin of extremist
Explanation
Nowadays, we tend to associate the word extremist with "terrorist," and use the two words almost interchangeably to define someone who holds radical political or religious views. An extremist can hold views on any subject: if you believe all little brothers should be banned from their siblings' rooms, or that anyone who roots for a different baseball team should be quarantined, then you, my friend, are an extremist. What tends to unite all extremists is their willingness to act, often violently, to realize their beliefs. Little brothers, watch out.
Vocabulary lists containing extremist
"Letter from Birmingham Jail" by Martin Luther King, Jr. (1963)
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
President Obama's U.N. Address
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
The Justice Department alleges that the civil-rights organization, which targets extremist groups, defrauded donors.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026
A convicted German transgender right-wing extremist, who has been on the run for months, has been arrested in the Czech Republic.
From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026
“They’re concerned the Middle East tensions could lead to more extremist cell activity in Western countries,” Bannister said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026
They had no apparent links to international terrorist networks — until Malik pledged allegiance to the leader of the extremist group Islamic State on Facebook shortly before the attack.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026
There is this condition to be made here: that Bismarck undoubtedly leaned as far in one direction as the old-line French Revolutionists did in another; Bismarck was an extremist no less than Danton, Marat, Robespierre.
From Blood and Iron Origin of German Empire As Revealed by Character of Its Founder, Bismarck by Greusel, John Hubert
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.
