Radical: meaning, definitions and examples

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radical

[ˈradɪk(ə)l ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

politics

A person who advocates thorough or complete political or social reform; a member of a political party or part of a party pursuing such aims.

Synonyms

progressive, reformer, revolutionary.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
radical	Used when describing someone or something that has extreme views or approaches, especially in terms of politics or social change. It often implies significant and potentially controversial changes. He proposed a radical plan to overhaul the education system Her radical ideas often sparked heated debates among her peers
progressive	Appropriate in contexts where forward-thinking and innovative ideas are encouraged. It is typically used to describe positive change and openness to new methods or policies. The company prides itself on its progressive workplace policies He is known for his progressive views on climate change

Word

Description / Examples

radical

Used when describing someone or something that has extreme views or approaches, especially in terms of politics or social change. It often implies significant and potentially controversial changes.

He proposed a radical plan to overhaul the education system
Her radical ideas often sparked heated debates among her peers

progressive

Appropriate in contexts where forward-thinking and innovative ideas are encouraged. It is typically used to describe positive change and openness to new methods or policies.

The company prides itself on its progressive workplace policies
He is known for his progressive views on climate change

Examples of usage

She was considered a radical within the party for her progressive views.
The radicals in the group demanded immediate action on the issue.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

chemistry

Relating to or affecting the fundamental nature of something; far-reaching or thorough.

Synonyms

comprehensive, fundamental, profound.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
radical	This is used when describing something that is extreme or significantly different from the traditional or usual way. It often implies a drastic change or a completely new approach. The company is planning to implement radical changes to its business model. Her radical ideas were initially met with skepticism but eventually gained acceptance.
fundamental	Use this word when referring to something that is essential or of central importance. It implies a basic foundation or underlying principle. Understanding basic math is fundamental to learning advanced topics in science. Human rights are fundamental to a just society.
comprehensive	This word is suitable for situations where something is thorough and covers all or nearly all aspects of a particular subject. It conveys completeness and inclusion. The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the current market trends. We need a comprehensive plan to address the issue effectively.
profound	This word is appropriate when describing something that has deep meaning, intense impact, or significant depth of understanding or feeling. The experience had a profound effect on his outlook on life. Her speech was filled with profound insights into human nature.

Examples of usage

The new chemical compound had a radical impact on the industry.
His radical approach to the experiment yielded unexpected results.

Translations

Translations of the word "radical" in other languages:

🇵🇹 radical

🇮🇳 मूल

🇩🇪 radikal

🇮🇩 radikal

🇺🇦 радикальний

🇵🇱 radykalny

🇯🇵 急進的な

🇫🇷 radical

🇪🇸 radical

🇹🇷 radikal

🇰🇷 급진적인

🇸🇦 جذري

🇨🇿 radikální

🇸🇰 radikálny

🇨🇳 激进的

🇸🇮 radikalen

🇮🇸 róttækur

🇰🇿 радикалды

🇬🇪 რადიკალური

🇦🇿 radikal

🇲🇽 radical

Etymology

The word 'radical' originated from the Latin word 'radix', meaning 'root'. In the 14th century, it was first used in English to refer to a mathematical root. Over time, its meaning expanded to include political and social contexts, describing individuals or ideas that seek fundamental change or reform. The term has evolved to represent innovative and progressive thinking in various fields.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,094, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.

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