Definitions

extremism

[ik-stree-miz-uhm] / ɪkˈstri mɪz əm /

NOUN

fanaticism

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bigotry hatred intolerance zeal zealotry

STRONG

abandonment arbitrariness bias contumacy dedication devotion dogma enthusiasm faction frenzy immoderation infatuation injustice madness monomania obsessiveness obstinacy partiality partisanship passion prejudice rage single-mindedness stubbornness superstition tenacity transport unfairness unruliness violence willfulness

WEAK

incorrigibility unreasonableness

Antonyms

STRONG

apathy calmness dislike doubt fairness impartiality indifference irresolution justice peace peacefulness

WEAK

disinterest unenthusiasm

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.

"Extremism, radicalism and populism feed off this lack of trust, disinformation, inequalities, disenchantment with the present and doubts about how to face the future."

From Barron's • Dec. 24, 2025

“The path from joking to dead serious gets carved out little by little,” said Pasha Dashtgard, the director of interventions at the Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab at American University.

From Slate • Dec. 5, 2025

Mr. Broidy is chairman and CEO of Broidy Capital Holdings and a co-chairman of the Fund to End Antisemitism, Extremism and Hate.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 20, 2025

Wendy Via is co-founder and CEO of Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, an organization that tracks how online discourse shapes the potential for political violence.

From Salon • Aug. 23, 2025

Extremism and fanaticism are not part of true religion.

From Heart Talks by Naylor, Charles Wesley

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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