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
Examples 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
Colin Demarest, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024
President-elect Donald Trump campaigned relentlessly on a radical overhaul of the federal government.
—Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 20 Nov. 2024
Avery Lotz, Axios, 22 Oct. 2024
In fact, the group’s radicals are likely to be emboldened.
—Saeid Golkar, Foreign Affairs, 11 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for radical 
Adjective
The building is infamously stubborn, with decades-old antibodies on hair-trigger alert for anything too radical.
—Colin Demarest, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024
President-elect Donald Trump campaigned relentlessly on a radical overhaul of the federal government.
—Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 20 Nov. 2024
Noun
The big picture: The Trump-Vance campaign's strategy is to paint Vice President Kamala Harris as a radical on trans issues as the fight to access gender-affirming care is playing out in courtrooms and state legislatures nationwide.
—Avery Lotz, Axios, 22 Oct. 2024
In fact, the group’s radicals are likely to be emboldened.
—Saeid Golkar, Foreign Affairs, 11 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for radical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for radical
Adjective
-
Colorado wildfires are becoming more extreme, and fire officials must seek new and better ways to prevent and fight them.The Denver Post, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024
-
Trump’s vituperative persona, his enmity toward multilateralism, and his extreme policy agenda could easily sink the United States’ prospects for meaningful leadership of the G-20.Leslie Vinjamuri, Foreign Affairs, 15 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Allred, a three-term congressman from Dallas, is also well-financed but running a lower-key and more centrist race than the freewheeling campaign of the more outwardly liberal O'Rourke.John C. Moritz, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
-
Several contenders may connect with a spectrum of liberal Oscar voters.Clayton Davis, Variety, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
In a testament to the power of libraries creating a sense of community through programs, a patron shared a wonderful anecdote recently with our youth services librarian, Melissa Burke.Barbara D. Hathaway, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
-
It’s got wonderful culture, interesting history, amazing attractions and businesses.Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
With a trailer highlighting the revolutionaries’ youthful fervor before culminating in a note about the costs of war, Say Nothing seems intent on leaning hard into the complications of a conflict not yet resolved.Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2024
-
The revolutionaries even had a Muslim ally in the form of Hyder Ali and his armies.Adam Jortner, The Conversation, 18 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
Sticking with players who entered this season unknown to all the but the most rabid CFF fans, Army's dynamic QB is worth a look.Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
-
The Easter eggs, the signature color, the rabid fans.David LaChapelle, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
Read: Why did this progressive evangelical church fall apart?Tope Folarin, The Atlantic, 21 Nov. 2024
-
Led by Rashida Jones, the network also has tried to capitalize on its progressive fan base, starting a live-event series that included the all-day MSNBC Live: Democracy 2024 in Brooklyn in September.Ted Johnson, Deadline, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
The time to act is now – before the cost of inaction becomes too great to bear.Matthew Emma, USA TODAY, 28 Nov. 2024
-
In honor of the milestone, director Frank Darabont revealed to The Daily Beast that Robbins — who played Andy Dufresne, a man wrongly convicted of murdering his wife and incarcerated at the titular Shawshank Prison — went to great lengths to embody the role.Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 27 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
This unconventional column is based on value pluralism — the idea that each of us has multiple values that are equally valid but that often conflict with each other.Sigal Samuel, Vox, 18 Nov. 2024
-
Reisman was known to be unconventional in the sport, yet won two U.S. Men’s Singles Championships in 1958 and 1960 and more than 20 international and national titles.Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near radical
Cite this Entry
“Radical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/radical. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share