1
a
: existing in a very high degree
extreme poverty
b
: going to great or exaggerated lengths : radical
went on an extreme diet
c
: exceeding the ordinary, usual, or expected
extreme weather conditions
2
archaic
: last
3
: situated at the farthest possible point from a center
the country's extreme north
4
a
: most advanced or thoroughgoing
the extreme political left
b
: maximum
5
a
: of, relating to, or being an outdoor activity or a form of a sport (such as skiing) that involves an unusually high degree of physical risk
extreme mountain biking down steep slopes
b
: involved in an extreme sport
an extreme snowboarder
extremeness
noun
1
a
: something situated at or marking one end or the other of a range
extremes of heat and cold
b
: the first term or the last term of a mathematical proportion
c
: the major term or minor term of a syllogism
2
a
: a very pronounced or excessive degree
b
: highest degree : maximum
3
: an extreme measure or expedient
going to extremes
Examples of extreme in a Sentence
Adjective
The plant is sensitive to extreme heat and cold.
They are living in extreme poverty.
She went on an extreme diet.
Many thought that the punishment was too extreme for the crime.
The plan was rejected as too extreme.
This is an extreme example of what can happen when a company grows too quickly.
He has extreme opinions when it comes to politics.
Members of the extreme right opposed the legislation.
Noun
After spending lavishly for years, the company has now gone to the opposite extreme and has cut expenses drastically.
His mood changed from one extreme to the other.
Recent Examples on the Web
Rosanna Philpott, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Louise Hémon The jury would also like to acknowledge a director whose film transported us into an extreme landscape, and created an unsettling atmosphere that kept us contemplating the nature of lust, education, and violence.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
Environmental Factors Weather extremes, whether cold or hot, can affect your thirst.
—Lauren O'Connor, Health, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for extreme
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
An arid, barren landscape with extreme temperature swings from 45 to -40 degrees Celsius (113 to -40 degrees Fahrenheit).
—Rosanna Philpott, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Louise Hémon The jury would also like to acknowledge a director whose film transported us into an extreme landscape, and created an unsettling atmosphere that kept us contemplating the nature of lust, education, and violence.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
Cooper makes sure to push both these images of Springsteen to their extremes.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
Environmental Factors Weather extremes, whether cold or hot, can affect your thirst.
—Lauren O'Connor, Health, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for extreme
Cite this Entry
“Extreme.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extreme. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
extreme
1 of 2 adjective
ex·treme
ik-ˈstrēm 
1
: existing to a very great degree
extreme heat
extreme poverty
2
: farthest from a center
3
: most advanced or thorough
the extreme political right
4
: relating to a form of a sport that involves an unusually high degree of risk
extreme skiing
extremely
adverb
extremeness
noun
extreme
2 of 2 noun1
: something situated as far away as possible from another
extremes of heat and cold
2
: the first term or the last term of a mathematical proportion
3
: a very pronounced or excessive degree
4
: an extraordinary measure
going to extremes
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