extreme

[ ik-streem ]

adjective

, ex·trem·er, ex·trem·est.

1. of a character or kind farthest removed from the ordinary or average:

   extreme measures.

2. utmost or exceedingly great in degree:

   extreme joy.

   Synonyms: superlative

3. farthest from the center or middle; outermost; endmost:

   the extreme limits of a town.

   Synonyms: uttermost, last, ultimate

4. farthest, utmost, or very far in any direction:

   an object at the extreme point of vision.

5. exceeding the bounds of moderation:

   extreme fashions.

6. going to the utmost or very great lengths in action, habit, opinion, etc.:

   an extreme conservative.

   Synonyms: unreasonable, uncompromising, fanatical, excessive, immoderate, extravagant

   Antonyms: moderate

7. last or final:

   extreme hopes.

8. Chiefly Sports. very dangerous or difficult:

   extreme skiing.

noun

1. the utmost or highest degree, or a very high degree:

   cautious to an extreme.

2. one of two things as remote or different from each other as possible:

   the extremes of joy and grief.

3. the furthest or utmost length; an excessive length, beyond the ordinary or average:

   extremes in dress.

4. an extreme act, measure, condition, etc.:

   the extreme of poverty.

5. Mathematics.
   1. the first or the last term, as of a proportion or series.
   2. a relative maximum or relative minimum value of a function in a given region.
6. Logic. the subject or the predicate of the conclusion of a syllogism; either of two terms that are separated in the premises and brought together in the conclusion.
7. Archaic. the utmost point, or extremity, of something.

extreme

/ ɪkˈstriːm /

adjective

1. being of a high or of the highest degree or intensity

   extreme cold

   extreme difficulty

2. exceeding what is usual or reasonable; immoderate

   extreme behaviour

3. very strict, rigid, or severe; drastic

   an extreme measure

4. prenominal farthest or outermost in direction

   the extreme boundary

5. meteorol of, relating to, or characteristic of a continental climate

noun

1. the highest or furthest degree (often in the phrases in the extreme, go to extremes )
2. often plural either of the two limits or ends of a scale or range of possibilities

   extremes of temperature

3. maths
   1. the first or last term of a series or a proportion
   2. a maximum or minimum value of a function
4. logic the subject or predicate of the conclusion of a syllogism

Derived Forms

• exˈtremeness, noun

Other Words From

• ex·tremeness noun
• over·ex·treme adjective
• quasi-ex·treme adjective
• super·ex·treme adjective
• super·ex·tremely adverb
• super·ex·tremeness noun
• unex·treme adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of extreme¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Latin extrēmus “most outward,” superlative of exterus “outward”; exterior

Word History and Origins

Origin of extreme¹

C15: from Latin extrēmus outermost, from exterus on the outside; see exterior

Synonym Study

See radical.

Example Sentences

This all doesn’t, though, preclude the possibility that these secretaries will have effective deputies, or that Trump will have advisers or “czars” within the White House, like far-right anti-immigrant figures Tom Homan and Stephen Miller, who can conceive and carry out extreme plans.

From Slate

The high cost of baby formula is forcing many parents to "resort to extreme and unsafe measures to feed their babies", an MP has told the Commons.

From BBC

Like any other would-be autocrat, President-elect Donald Trump is selecting people for key positions overseeing the military and legal system based not on objective merits but their personal loyalty to one man: in this case, a 78-year-old Republican who felt betrayed in his first term when more-or-less qualified cabinet officials would balk at some of his more extreme demands.

From Salon

Several years ago, when climate change was beginning to emerge in the vernacular of the extreme right, Taylor’s publications began to reflect his own thoughts on the implications of the warming world.

From Salon

But Trump has married his demagoguery to an extreme right-wing agenda that calls for disinvestment in public projects and public benefits, replacing federal employees with Trump loyalists, breaking alliances with our more liberal allies while forging stronger ties with reactionary regimes.

From Salon

Related Words

• depth
• excess
• height