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Meaning & use

extreme

adjective, noun·Academic

Last updated

UK/ɪkˈstriːm/
US/ɪkˈstriːm/

Meanings

  1. adjectivenot comparable

    Very great in degree, intensity, or seriousness; far beyond what is normal or moderate.

    Grammar: Takes more/most for comparison rather than -er/-est: more extreme heat; no object.

    Patterns

    • extreme heat
    • extreme pain
    • extreme caution

    The hikers carried water because of the extreme heat.

    She took extreme care with the fragile glassware.

    Extreme cold made the car engine hard to start.

  2. adjectivenot comparabledisapproving

    Going far beyond what most people consider reasonable or acceptable, especially in beliefs or actions.

    Grammar: Often critical in tone and used before a noun: extreme views; comparison is with more/most.

    Patterns

    • extreme views
    • extreme measures
    • extreme behavior

    The article criticized the party's extreme positions.

    Calling in the middle of the night seemed an extreme measure.

    His extreme reaction worried his coworkers.

  3. adjectivebefore a noun

    Located at the farthest point or edge of something.

    Grammar: Comes only before a noun: the extreme edge; not used after a verb like is.

    Patterns

    • the extreme edge
    • the extreme north
    • at the extreme end

    A tower stands at the extreme edge of the peninsula.

    They traveled to the extreme north of the country.

    Put the heaviest box at the extreme end of the shelf.

  4. nounusually singular

    The greatest or furthest degree of a quality, feeling, or condition.

    Grammar: Often singular with the: the extreme of; plural extremes is also common for severe conditions.

    Patterns

    • the extreme of something
    • go to extremes
    • avoid extremes

    His politeness was carried to the extreme of never disagreeing.

    She avoids extremes of heat and cold when storing the wine.

    The plan went to the extreme of banning all visitors.

  5. nouncountable

    One of two opposite and very different ends of a range of opinions or possibilities.

    Grammar: Often plural: at opposite extremes; refers to ends of a scale rather than a degree.

    Patterns

    • at opposite extremes
    • at one extreme
    • the two extremes

    Their budgets are at opposite extremes.

    At one extreme are tiny flats; at the other, large houses.

    The truth usually lies between the two extremes.

Word forms

comparativemore extreme
superlativemost extreme

Common combinations

extreme weather
Flights were delayed by extreme weather across the region.
extreme poverty
The program targets families living in extreme poverty.
take extreme measures
Officials took extreme measures to protect the water supply.
go to extremes
He went to extremes to finish the project on time.
at opposite extremes
The two candidates stand at opposite extremes on taxes.

Synonyms and how they differ

severe
Stresses seriousness of harm or conditions, while extreme stresses lying at the far end of a scale.
drastic
Implies forceful action taken to deal with a problem, and fits measures more than feelings.
radical
Suggests big change from the root, especially in ideas or politics; extreme can be more negative.

Opposites

moderatemildslight

Word family

extremely adverb
To a very great degree: extremely useful.
extremist noun
A person who holds very strong political or religious views.
extremity noun
The furthest point, or an extreme degree of something.

Commonly confused: extreme or esteem?

extreme vs esteem

Esteem means respect or admiration; extreme describes a far degree or far end, not a feeling of respect.

Practice

The guide warned tourists to drink often because of the ___ heat in the desert.

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