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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

Magyar, a former government insider turned critic, is offering voters a radical break from Orban's self-described "illiberal" system, vowing to crack down on corruption and improve public services.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

The new group is less radical and much more reasonable.

From Slate • Apr. 2, 2026

But representation, particularly these days, can be a radical act, and there’s something heartening at the sight of the Kim family enjoying their turn in the mainstream spotlight.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

This was of course a wild underestimate, but a radical notion nonetheless, and Buffon found himself threatened with excommunication for expressing it.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson

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