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Definitions

radical

[rad-i-kuhl] / ˈræd ɪ kəl /
ADJECTIVE
fundamental, basic
Synonyms
STRONGEST
profound
STRONG
basal bottom cardinal constitutional essential native natural organic original primary primitive
WEAK
deep-seated foundational inherent innate intrinsic meat-and-potatoes primal thoroughgoing underlying vital
Antonyms
STRONG
inessential minor secondary unimportant
WEAK
extrinsic nonessential superficial
ADJECTIVE
deviating by extremes
Synonyms
STRONGEST
extremist fanatical far-out leftist militant progressive revolutionary sweeping uncompromising violent
STRONG
entire freethinking insurgent recusant refractory
WEAK
advanced anarchistic complete excessive iconoclastic immoderate insubordinate insurrectionary intransigent lawless mutinous nihilistic rabid rebellious recalcitrant restive riotous seditious severe thorough ultra ultraist way-out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
moderate
WEAK
conservative superficial
NOUN
person who advocates significant, often extreme change
Synonyms
STRONGEST
agitator anarchist extremist fanatic firebrand insurgent leftist militant progressive rebel reformer renegade revolutionary rioter subversive
STRONG
avant-garde freethinker iconoclast insurrectionist left-winger mutineer nihilist nonconformist objector pacifist secessionist
WEAK
revolter ultraist
Antonyms
WEAK
conservative moderate

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.

It’s radical to love someone because they’re honest, not in spite of their honesty.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

The new group is less radical and much more reasonable.

From Slate • Apr. 2, 2026

Others said the move was evidence of a more radical turn by authorities.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

It would extinguish a radical experiment with an ugly shadow stretching from Lebanon to Indonesia.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

For Durham’s black elite, pressing for desegregation was still too radical an idea—and one which, if implemented, would threaten their own economic well-being.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson