Extreme: meaning, definitions and examples

Situations or conditions that are far from average or normal.

• The weather in Alaska can be extremely cold in the winter
• Extreme sports like skydiving and bungee jumping are not for everyone

Situations, feelings, or activities that are very strong, forceful, or concentrated.

• The movie was filled with intense action scenes
• She felt an intense rush of fear when she heard the noise

Negative situations or conditions that are very bad or serious.

• The region experienced severe flooding after the hurricane
• The patient's injuries were severe and required immediate surgery

Something that covers a large area or involves a lot of detail or activity.

• The library has an extensive collection of scientific journals
• They conducted an extensive search for the missing hiker

Generally used to describe something very intense, excessive, or beyond the usual limits. It can have both positive and negative connotations depending on the context.

• The weather conditions were so extreme that many schools closed for the day.
• His dedication to his fitness routine is extreme, working out twice a day, every day.

Often used to describe someone who advocates for complete political or social reform. The term can also refer to something that is fundamentally different from the norm. It can have both positive and negative connotations, but is frequently associated with extreme political views.

• The party is known for its radical policies on environmental issues.
• She made a radical change in her career, switching from marketing to medicine.

Usually refers to someone who has excessive enthusiasm or intense and often irrational zeal for a cause or activity. It often carries a negative connotation.

• He is a fitness fanatic, spending hours at the gym every single day.
• The football fanatic painted his entire house in his team's colors.

Refers to someone who is fervent and uncompromising in pursuit of their religious, political, or other ideals. Often used negatively to describe someone whose enthusiasm goes beyond reason and can lead to dangerous actions.

• A religious zealot, he would stop at nothing to convert others to his faith.
• The political zealot was arrested for inciting violence during the protest.