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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.

While the rule changes individually may not be radical, taken together, they mark an erosion of protections for beneficiaries choosing their medical plans, analysts said.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 24, 2026

He said Grossi emphasized "how fragile the UN is today" and appeared more "radical" than Guterres on reform.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

Why this fallback to current convention, when the rest of the experience is about radical reinvention?

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

In a federal hospital in Seattle in the 1960s, researchers began testing a radical new therapy on patients near death from blood cancers: a bone-marrow transplant.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026

It was utterly radical and, for many musicians and listeners at the time, baffling.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

Vocabulary lists containing radical

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100 Great Words from "Fahrenheit 451" -- Part I Vocabulary

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