extravagant

adjective

ik-ˈstra-vi-gənt How to pronounce extravagant (audio)
Definition of extravagantnext
1
as in wasteful
given to spending money freely or foolishly the billionaire's son is the typically extravagant playboy who hasn't earned any of what he spends

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in excessive
going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount the book doesn't quite merit the extravagant praise that it has received

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in expensive
commanding a large price wooed her with an array of extravagant gifts

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word extravagant different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of extravagant are excessive, exorbitant, extreme, immoderate, and inordinate. While all these words mean "going beyond a normal limit," extravagant implies an indifference to restraints imposed by truth, prudence, or good taste.

extravagant claims for the product

When is excessive a more appropriate choice than extravagant?

While the synonyms excessive and extravagant are close in meaning, excessive implies an amount or degree too great to be reasonable or acceptable.

excessive punishment

When would exorbitant be a good substitute for extravagant?

The synonyms exorbitant and extravagant are sometimes interchangeable, but exorbitant implies a departure from accepted standards regarding amount or degree.

exorbitant prices

In what contexts can extreme take the place of extravagant?

While in some cases nearly identical to extravagant, extreme may imply an approach to the farthest limit possible or conceivable but commonly means only to a notably high degree.

extreme shyness

Where would immoderate be a reasonable alternative to extravagant?

In some situations, the words immoderate and extravagant are roughly equivalent. However, immoderate implies lack of desirable or necessary restraint.

immoderate spending

When is it sensible to use inordinate instead of extravagant?

The meanings of inordinate and extravagant largely overlap; however, inordinate implies an exceeding of the limits dictated by reason or good judgment.

inordinate pride

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of extravagant One team of officers had traveled from mainland China to treat Alvin’s parents in Hong Kong to an extravagant dinner. —Cora Engelbrecht, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2025 When the film Gone With the Wind debuted in 1939, an extravagant premiere gala unfolded over three days in downtown Atlanta. —Ellen Wexler, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Mar. 2025 Its extravagant Beaux Arts design, featuring garlands, arched windows, and decorative cartouches, are a sight to behold. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2025 In the early 1980s, Mugler became known for creating extravagant designs that transformed the female body. —Renan Botelho, WWD, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for extravagant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extravagant
  1. wasteful
  2. excessive
  3. expensive
  4. extreme
  5. valuable
  6. insane
  7. costly
  8. lavish
Adjective
  • DeSantis announced the new agency in February to expose and eliminate what officials deem wasteful spending by state agencies, colleges and universities, and local governments.
    — Kathryn Varn, Axios, 8 Apr. 2025
  • This increases your close rates, limits wasteful spending and adds efficiency to the post-sign-up process.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of wasteful
Adjective
  • But for others, anxiety is an ongoing disorder that causes excessive worry, and isn't just prompted by stressful situations.
    — Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Avoid constipation as excessive straining can weaken the pelvic floor.
    — Violeta Valdés, Vogue, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of excessive
Adjective
  • Your daily cup of joe could get even more expensive under new U.S. tariffs on dozens of countries around the world.
    — Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Some 80 percent of them said product quality is the most important consideration when selecting a retailer, and 92 percent believe clothes don’t have to be expensive to offer them long-lasting value.
    — Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of expensive
Adjective
  • Much of New Mexico continues to battle severe to extreme drought conditions, which will also exacerbate the fire threat.
    — Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2025
  • And these are both short and long-term outcomes, like extreme fatigue.
    — Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of extreme
Adjective
  • These shoes are so highly coveted and valuable that Sotheby’s hosted an auction to sell them.
    — Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Apple needs to figure out how to grow its most valuable business.
    — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of valuable
Adjective
  • Amanda learned in like 10 seconds, which is insane.
    — Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2025
  • The emu egg—a two pound, eight-inch ovoid with a sultry teal shell gently speckled in pale green—seemed like just the right absurdist final flourish for an already insane endeavor.
    — Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 23 Mar. 2025
Definition of insane
Adjective
  • For China, a sudden sell-off of U.S. Treasuries would also be extremely costly, increasing the value of its currency and, thus, the cost of Chinese exports even further.
    — Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
  • This can help avoid costly fines and legal issues as well as keep employees safe.
    — Steven Rogall, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of costly
Adjective
  • For all his Trump flattery and lavish gift-giving, Abe never scored Japan a pass in Trump 1.0 tariffs.
    — William Pesek, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Even more impressive than just its size is its beautiful, lavish marble decoration inside.
    — Danuta Hamlin, FOXNews.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of lavish

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Extravagant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extravagant. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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