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Definitions

radical

[rad-i-kuhl] / ˈræd ɪ kəl /
ADJECTIVE
fundamental, basic
Synonyms
STRONGEST
profound
STRONG
basal bottom cardinal constitutional essential native natural organic original primary primitive
WEAK
deep-seated foundational inherent innate intrinsic meat-and-potatoes primal thoroughgoing underlying vital
Antonyms
STRONG
inessential minor secondary unimportant
WEAK
extrinsic nonessential superficial
ADJECTIVE
deviating by extremes
Synonyms
STRONGEST
extremist fanatical far-out leftist militant progressive revolutionary sweeping uncompromising violent
STRONG
entire freethinking insurgent recusant refractory
WEAK
advanced anarchistic complete excessive iconoclastic immoderate insubordinate insurrectionary intransigent lawless mutinous nihilistic rabid rebellious recalcitrant restive riotous seditious severe thorough ultra ultraist way-out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
moderate
WEAK
conservative superficial
NOUN
person who advocates significant, often extreme change
Synonyms
STRONGEST
agitator anarchist extremist fanatic firebrand insurgent leftist militant progressive rebel reformer renegade revolutionary rioter subversive
STRONG
avant-garde freethinker iconoclast insurrectionist left-winger mutineer nihilist nonconformist objector pacifist secessionist
WEAK
revolter ultraist
Antonyms
WEAK
conservative moderate

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It’s radical to love someone because they’re honest, not in spite of their honesty.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

The new group is less radical and much more reasonable.

From Slate • Apr. 2, 2026

"Apple was founded on the simple notion that technology should be personal, and that belief -- radical at the time -- changed everything," chief executive Tim Cook said in an anniversary letter posted online.

From Barron's • Mar. 29, 2026

Among those attending was Steve Tribble, who travelled from Stroud with what he described as a "radical left-wing band" of musicians.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

He was truly the first musical radical, referred to in a contemporary record as 'Perotin the Master’.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.