extremist

[ik-stree-mist]

noun

1. a person who goes to extremes, especially in political matters.

2. a supporter or advocate of extreme doctrines or practices.

adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to extremists.

extremist

/ ɪkˈstriːmɪst /

noun

1. a person who favours or resorts to immoderate, uncompromising, or fanatical methods or behaviour, esp in being politically radical

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characterized by immoderate or excessive actions, opinions, etc

Other Word Forms

• extremism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of extremist¹

First recorded in 1840–50; extreme + -ist

Example Sentences

The FBI believe Daniel Andreas San Diego has links to animal rights extremist groups and is their prime suspect for a series of bombings in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2003.

From BBC

WhatsApp - whose owner, Meta, is designated an extremist organisation in Russia - is especially popular with older people because of how easy it is to register and use.

From BBC

The domestic spy agency classified it in May as a right-wing extremist organisation this year, before placing a pause on that description due to an appeal pending in court.

From BBC

It was a gun in the hands of a person with extremist, far-right views and a history of instability.

From Salon

Israel at the time said it was acting to stop weapons falling "into the hands of extremists".

From BBC

Related Words

• fanatic 
• zealot