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Definitions

in extremis

[in eks-tre-mees, in ik-stree-mis] / ɪn ɛksˈtrɛ mis, ɪn ɪkˈstri mɪs /
ADJECTIVE
dying
Synonyms
STRONGEST
decaying doomed fading moribund
STRONG
declining disintegrating ebbing fated final going mortal passing perishing sinking vanishing withering
WEAK
at death's door at end of rope done for giving up the ghost on last leg one foot in grave
Antonyms
STRONG
permanent
WEAK
creating developing growing living reviving

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.

Bond holdings are concentrated in domestic pension funds and life insurers, and in extremis the BoJ could resume buying itself.

From Barron's • Feb. 10, 2026

Shannon, in extremis, suffers for sins he would rather not be accountable for.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 24, 2025

Earl could get a run in midfield in extremis, if injury and fatigue bite hard.

From BBC • Nov. 1, 2024

It is a riveting look at a woman in extremis, channeling a lifetime of pain into one final incandescent act of strength and sacrifice.

From New York Times • Apr. 16, 2024

Every planetary nebula is a token of a star in extremis.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.