radical 1 of 2

adjective

ˈra-di-kəl How to pronounce radical (audio)
Definition of radicalnext
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

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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"

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3
as in wonderful
slang of the very best kind surfing conditions at virtually all of the beaches along the coast were truly radical

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radical

2 of 2

noun

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

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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
Adjective
One of Burning Man’s ten governing principles is radical self-expression, and the clothes complied. — Henry Alford, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026 The radical departure in DeRosa’s view of the race lies between and just under Renegade and Golden Tempo. — Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Noun
During the nineteenth century, an older form of abolitionism was led by Black radicals. — Literary Hub, 27 July 2026 In the early days of the republic, there were many radicals and reformers who shared my suspicion that patriotism was an evasion, substituting songs and speeches about liberty for the reality. — Dominic Erdozain, Time, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for radical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for radical
  1. extreme
  2. liberal
  3. wonderful
  4. revolutionary
  5. rabid
  6. progressive
  7. great
  8. unconventional
Adjective
  • China is also blocked from accessing ASML’s most advanced extreme ultraviolet (EUV) machines.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Intel is a slightly different case because it’s also caught up in the mania for chip stocks as spending on artificial intelligence creates extreme demand for semiconductors.
    — Norah Rami, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of extreme
Adjective
  • These speeches, which Ossoff writes himself, have become a sensation among liberal voters, fueling talk of a presidential bid.
    — Sam Gringlas, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Rafał Trzaskowski, the liberal candidate, proposed restricting child welfare benefits for Ukrainians.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of liberal
Adjective
  • Nature aside, Cape Town boasts a wonderful juxtaposition of old world architecture and contemporary design across its vibrant neighborhoods.
    — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Both films had wonderful ensembles, ingenious writing and an unmistakable sense of occasion.
    — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of wonderful
Noun
  • Centrist Democrats are not socialists, not revolutionaries, and not disposed to blame Zionist conspiracies for every trouble in American life, including police brutality and urban gentrification.
    — David Frum, The Atlantic, 19 Aug. 2026
  • To make matters worse, ten days later, revolutionaries stormed the Bastille.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of revolutionary
Adjective
  • This is the first rabid bat reported in the county since 2024, when two bats tested positive for rabies.
    — Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Sutter County health officials have confirmed a bat captured inside a Yuba City home was rabid and are telling residents to act with caution.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of rabid
Adjective
  • Strommen has an Instagram feed with tributes to Charlie Kirk, but that didn’t prevent her from working closely with Gorman, who, while technically in a nonpartisan position, is married to Mark Spreitzer, a progressive Democratic state senator.
    — Dan Kaufman, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2026
  • On Thursday, Nixon, a progressive, said criminal charges should be a possibility, despite the grand jury not recommending them.
    — Liv Caputo, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of progressive
Adjective
  • But there may be little anyone–government or corporate–can do to persuade people to have children amid greater economic uncertainty.
    — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
  • From travel dresses to a lightweight sweater, here are 14 items from Quince’s Workwear Edit that would look great on you on your next flight, starting at $20.
    — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of great
Adjective
  • Munetaka Murakami made the quick decision to step on the bag and then throw to the plate, where catcher Drew Romo tagged out Trevor Larnach for an unconventional inning-ending double play.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • All the drama from last week’s showdown with the season-21 designers is resolved by season 22 winning the unconventional-materials challenge.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of unconventional

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Cite this Entry

“Radical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/radical. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on radical

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about radical

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