The girls were afraid of snakes and picked their way along with extreme caution.
...people living in extreme poverty.
...the author's extreme reluctance to generalise.
Synonyms: great, high, highest, greatest More Synonyms of extreme
2. adjective
You use extreme to describe situations and behaviour which are much more severe or unusual than you would expect, especially when you disapprove of them because of this.
[disapproval]
The extreme case was Poland, where 29 parties won seats.
His punishment seemed a little extreme.
The scheme has been condemned as extreme.
3. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
You use extreme to describe opinions, beliefs, or political movements which you disapprove of because they are very different fromthose that most people would accept as reasonable or normal.
[disapproval]
This extreme view hasn't captured popular opinion.
...the racist politics of the extreme right.
4. countable noun [usually plural]
You can use extremes to refer to situations or types of behaviour that have opposite qualities to each other, especially when each situation or type of behaviour hassuch a quality to the greatest degree possible.
...a 'middle way' between the extremes of success and failure. [+ of]
They can withstand extremes of temperature and weather without fading or cracking. [+ of]
Synonyms: limit, end, edge, opposite More Synonyms of extreme
5. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
The extreme end or edge of something is its furthest end or edge.
...the room at the extreme end of the corridor.
...winds from the extreme north.
Synonyms: farthest, furthest, far, final More Synonyms of extreme
6.
See go/take/carry (sthg) to extremes
7.
See in the extreme
More Synonyms of extreme
extreme in British English
(ɪkˈstriːm)
adjective
1.
being of a high or of the highest degree or intensity
extreme cold
extreme difficulty
2.
exceeding what is usual or reasonable; immoderate
extreme behaviour
3.
very strict, rigid, or severe; drastic
an extreme measure
4. (prenominal)
farthest or outermost in direction
the extreme boundary
5. meteorology
of, relating to, or characteristic of a continental climate
noun
6.
the highest or furthest degree (often in the phrases in the extreme, go to extremes)
7. (often plural)
either of the two limits or ends of a scale or range of possibilities
extremes of temperature
8. mathematics
a.
the first or last term of a series or a proportion
b.
a maximum or minimum value of a function
9. logic
the subject or predicate of the conclusion of a syllogism
Derived forms
extremeness (exˈtremeness)
noun
Word origin
C15: from Latin extrēmus outermost, from exterus on the outside; see exterior
extreme in American English
(ɛkˈstrim; ɪkˈstrim)
adjective
1.
at the end or outermost point; farthest away; most remote; utmost
2.
a.
in or to the greatest degree; very great or greatest
extreme pain
b.
to an excessive degree; immoderate
3.
far from what is usual or conventional
4.
deviating to the greatest degree from the center of opinion, as in politics
5.
very severe; drastic
extreme measures
6.
designating or of sports that involve high speeds, unusually risky actions, and considerable exposure to physical injury
7. Archaic
last; final
noun
8.
either of two things that are as different or far as possible from each other
9.
an extreme degree
10.
an extreme act, expedient, etc.
11.
an extreme state or condition
an extreme of distress
12. Obsolete
an extreme point; extremity
13. Ancient Mathematics
a.
the first or last term of a proportion
b.
extremum
Idioms:
go to extremes
in the extreme
Derived forms
extremely (exˈtremely)
adverb
extremeness (exˈtremeness)
noun
Word origin
ME & OFr < L extremus, last, outermost, superl. of exterus, outer: see external
Examples of 'extreme' in a sentence
extreme
The stings can be exceptionally painful and in extreme cases fatal.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
These examples are at the more extreme end of the spectrum.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Footballers rest somewhere between the two extremes.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
That is an extreme case of letting yourself go.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The answer is that none of the factors that have driven voters to the extremes has gone away.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In terms of the extreme weather conditions in California.
Smithsonian Mag (2017)
When it comes to investing in recruitment, the general feeling is one of extreme caution.
Computing (2010)
At the most extreme end this has led to deaths; in a broader way it has led to prolonged physical and mental distress.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
This is an extreme case but it highlights the dangers that lurk online.
The Sun (2015)
Tales of his extreme behaviour on set were once rife.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It was the railroads that made the most extreme use of the grid and the chain.
Andro Linklater MEASURING AMERICA (2002)
Their early records were already at the extreme end of what people wanted.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Until recently it was reckoned that such extreme temperatures hit a country just three times each decade.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
What these people want is extreme exclusivity.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
We might expect funding and investment policy to be pulled toward one of two extremes.
Charles A. D'Ambrosio & Stewart D. Hodges & Richard Brealey & Stewart Myers Principles of Corporate Finance (1991)
The faster approach reduces the time that the soldier is exposed to extreme cold at high altitude.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
We are sometimes brought to care about others with extreme difficulty.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This kind of extreme weather is likely to become more common in the future.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
That would seem to argue for extreme caution.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
That is an extreme way to numb the pain.
The Sun (2016)
There will be times when this means extreme measures are necessary.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
You have to go through some extreme criminal record checks.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The situation is less extreme because we have more support and more choice.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Greenland is also subject to extreme cold and total darkness in winter.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
This was far from being the only example of extreme support.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In extreme cases the sheds will be demolished.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
But his reputation in the ring was overshadowed by his equally extreme behaviour outside of it.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Few doctors would support the use of such extreme forms of deception today.
Dylan Evans PLACEBO: The Belief Effect (2003)
Plants grown here will also face bitter winds and extremes of temperature.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The murky circumstances of his death have become a rallying cry for those at the extreme end of the movement.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Looking through the record books, it is difficult to find anything so extreme at a football match at this time of year.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
A daughter-in-law should tactfully make clear where on the scale between these extremes her own happy medium lies.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
In other languages
extreme
British English: extreme /ɪkˈstriːm/ ADJECTIVE
Extreme means very great in degree or intensity.
...people living in extreme poverty.
American English: extreme
Arabic: شَدِيد
Brazilian Portuguese: extremo
Chinese: 极端的
Croatian: ekstreman
Czech: extrémní
Danish: ekstrem
Dutch: extreem
European Spanish: extremo
Finnish: äärimmäinen
French: extrême
German: extrem
Greek: ακραίος
Italian: estremo
Japanese: 極度の
Korean: 극도의
Norwegian: ekstrem
Polish: ekstremalny
European Portuguese: extremo
Romanian: extrem
Russian: экстремальный
Latin American Spanish: extremo
Swedish: extrem
Thai: ที่สุด
Turkish: aşırı
Ukrainian: крайній
Vietnamese: cực đoan
British English: extreme NOUN
You can use extremes to refer to situations or types of behaviour that have opposite qualities to each other.
...a 'middle way' between the extremes of success and failure.
American English: extreme
Brazilian Portuguese: extremo
Chinese: 极端
European Spanish: extremo
French: extrême
German: Extrem
Italian: estremo
Japanese: 極端
Korean: 양극단
European Portuguese: extremo
Latin American Spanish: extremo
All related terms of 'extreme'
extreme form
A form of something is a type or kind of it.
extreme sport
Extreme sports are exciting , physically dangerous sports such as bungee jumping or snowboarding.
extreme caution
Caution is great care which you take in order to avoid possible danger .
extreme emotion
An emotion is a feeling such as happiness, love , fear , anger , or hatred , which can be caused by the situation that you are in or the people you are with.
extreme example
An example of something is a particular situation, object, or person which shows that what is being claimed is true .
extreme fatigue
Fatigue is a feeling of extreme physical or mental tiredness.
extreme ironing
an activity that involves ironing items of laundry while engaged in a sport such as snowboarding or rock climbing
extreme lengths
Extreme means very great in degree or intensity .
extreme poverty
Poverty is the state of being extremely poor .
extreme unction
→ Anointing of the Sick
extreme wealth
Wealth is the possession of a large amount of money, property, or other valuable things. You can also refer to a particular person's money or property as their wealth .
extreme weather
The weather is the condition of the atmosphere in one area at a particular time, for example if it is raining , hot , or windy .
extreme behaviour
People's or animals' behaviour is the way that they behave . You can refer to a typical and repeated way of behaving as a behaviour .
extreme fighting
a combat sport incorporating techniques from a range of martial arts, with little if any regulation of the types of blows permissible
extreme pressure
If you are experiencing pressure , you feel that you must do a lot of tasks or make a lot of decisions in very little time, or that people expect a lot from you.
extreme reaction
Your reaction to something that has happened or something that you have experienced is what you feel , say , or do because of it.
extreme situation
You use situation to refer generally to what is happening in a particular place at a particular time, or to refer to what is happening to you.
in the extreme
You use in the extreme after an adjective in order to emphasize what you are saying , especially when you want to indicate that it is something which is undesirable or very surprising .
extreme circumstances
The circumstances of a particular situation are the conditions which affect what happens .
extreme programming
a discipline of software engineering following a specific structure, designed to simplify and speed up the development process
extreme temperatures
The temperature of something is a measure of how hot or cold it is.
anointing of the sick
a sacrament in which a person who is seriously ill or dying is anointed by a priest with consecrated oil
Chinese translation of 'extreme'
extreme
(ɪksˈtriːm)
adj
[poverty, caution]极(極)度的 (jídù de)
[opinions, methods]极端的 (jíduān de)
[point, edge]末端的 (mòduān de)
n(c)
极(極)端 (jíduān)
the extreme right/left (Pol) 极(極)右/左 (jíyòu/zuǒ)
extremes of temperature冷热(熱)气(氣)温(溫)悬(懸)殊 (lěngrè qìwēn xuánshū)
in the extreme (frm) 极(極)度 (jídù)
to go to extremes走极(極)端 (zǒu jíduān)
to go from one extreme to the other从(從)一个(個)极(極)端到另一个(個)极(極)端 (cóng yī gè jíduān dào lìng yī gè jíduān)
1 (adjective)
Definition
of a high or the highest degree or intensity
people living in extreme poverty
Synonyms
great
I'll take great care of it.
That must have taken a great effort on his part.
high
Officials said casualties were high.
highest
greatest
worst
supreme
Many young men made the supreme sacrifice during that war.
acute
a patient with acute rheumatoid arthritis
severe
The fence collapsed during the recent severe weather.
maximum
The maximum height for a fence here is 2 metres.
intense
He was sweating from the intense heat.
ultimate
Treachery was the ultimate sin.
utmost
Security matters are treated with the utmost seriousness.
mother of all (informal)
uttermost
Opposites
common
,
average
,
traditional
,
ordinary
,
reasonable
, moderate,
modest
,
mild
,
unremarkable
2 (adjective)
Definition
exceptionally severe or unusual
The scheme was rejected as being too extreme.
Synonyms
severe
This was a dreadful crime and a severe sentence is necessary.
radical
periods of radical change
strict
French privacy laws are very strict.
harsh
He said many harsh and unkind things.
stern
He said stern measures would be taken against the criminals.
rigid
My father is very rigid in his thinking.
dire
We found ourselves in a dire predicament.
drastic
Drastic measures are needed.
uncompromising
She is considered a tough and uncompromising negotiator.
unbending
her unbending opposition to the old regime
3 (adjective)
Definition
(of an opinion, political group, etc.) beyond the limits regarded as acceptable
his extreme political views
Synonyms
radical
unusual
He was an unusual man with great business talents.
excessive
The length of the prison sentence was excessive considering the nature of the crime.
exceptional
The courts hold that this case is exceptional.
exaggerated
Be sceptical of exaggerated claims for what these products can do.
outrageous
The prices these places charge are absolutely outrageous.
over the top (slang)
The special effects are a bit over the top, but I enjoyed it.
unreasonable
unreasonable increases in the price of petrol
uncommon
unconventional
fanatical
As a boy he was a fanatical patriot.
zealous
out-and-out
inordinate
They spent an inordinate amount of time talking.
egregious
intemperate
the unwisely intemperate language of the party leader
immoderate
He launched an immoderate tirade on his son.
O.T.T. (slang)
swivel-eyed (slang)
Opposites
moderate
4 (adjective)
Definition
farthest or outermost
the room at the extreme end of the corridor
Synonyms
farthest
furthest
the furthest point from earth
far
He wandered to the far end of the room.
final
the final book in the series
last
She said it was the very last house on the road.
ultimate
He said it is still not possible to predict the ultimate outcome.
remotest
terminal
Endowments pay a terminal bonus at maturity.
utmost
The break-up tested our resolve to its utmost limits.
far-off
faraway
They had just returned from faraway places.
outermost
most distant
uttermost
Opposites
nearest
(noun)
Definition
either of the two limits of a scale or range
a `middle way' between the extremes of success and failure
Synonyms
limit
the city limits
end
Surveillance equipment is placed at both ends of the tunnel.
edge
She was standing at the water's edge.
opposite
pole
The two mayoral candidates represent opposite poles of the political spectrum.
ultimate
This hotel is the ultimate in luxury.
boundary
antithesis
extremity
a small port on the north-western extremity of the island