1
as in extreme
being very far from the center of public opinion
the baggy trousers that Amelia Bloomer introduced in the 1850s were considered a radical form of dress for women at the time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in liberal
not bound by traditional ways or beliefs
radical proponents of spelling reform would have every word spelled "just the way it sounds"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in wonderful
slang
of the very best kind
surfing conditions at virtually all of the beaches along the coast were truly radical
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in revolutionary
a person who favors rapid and sweeping changes especially in laws and methods of government
radicals staged large, violent protests in the hopes of toppling the government
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of radical
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
Southern Law is financing the KKK and lots of other radical, terrible groups.
—CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Gaby Del Valle, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Berets were fashionable among radicals and the very old.
—Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for radical
Adjective
The organization, whose core mission is combating political extremism, argues fiscal crises historically create the conditions for radical political actors to gain traction.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
Southern Law is financing the KKK and lots of other radical, terrible groups.
—CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
The convergence of Abundance centrists and conservative environmentalists would seem to belie the ACC’s assertion that the environmental movement is dominated by radicals who would rather sabotage the American economy than accept any of the compromises necessary to achieve a prosperous future.
—Gaby Del Valle, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Berets were fashionable among radicals and the very old.
—Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for radical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for radical
Adjective
-
Typical pulsating aurora displays last 10 to 20 minutes, but Kerss had captured almost three hours of extreme pulsating auroras — an unusually powerful display and one of the longest on record, according to the statement.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Threats are growing from more extreme weather.—
Michael Copley,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The three liberal-leaning justices are not in attendance.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
By late October 2018, at age 25, she was being feted as the new ambassador for the Children’s Tumor Foundation, and was mere weeks away from earning a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from Arizona State University (having transferred from UNC Charlotte).—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
There is great teaching going on, the principal is wonderful.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Claire has been an advocate for courageous stories, an expert at complicated logistics and a wonderful partner to teams across the entire news division.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The second includes former revolutionaries, reformists, communist factions and groups such as the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK), many of whom emerged from or once supported the revolutionary system before later opposing it.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
In 1777, he was summoned to Paris to meet with American revolutionaries, including Benjamin Franklin.—
Amanda Rosa
Updated April 28,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The same obviously applied to those season-ticket holders who showed a near-rabid support for their coach.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
All series, the Timberwolves have been rabid with their intensity and purpose on the floor.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Knock on doors, raise money for progressive candidates, and mobilize your friends, neighbors, colleagues and acquaintances.—
Robert B. Reich,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Despite taking a progressive stand on labor, the Church nonetheless defended industrialization and private-property rights, forging a middle way that rejected both unfettered capitalism and socialism.—
Elias Wachtel,
The Atlantic,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
After Marcus’s ground ball, everybody took great at-bats.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Cherry blossoms great guests at the front foyer.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
It’s based on an unconventional true story from recent history, set on the British Isles, with a tone that alternates between humorous and sorrowful before delivering an uplifting and humanist message, with skillfully invisible filmmaking that takes a backseat to the performances and story.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
-
ZipRecruiter’s 2026 Graduate Report found that more are turning to unconventional jobs right out of college.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Radical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/radical. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
