extremity
noun
ex·trem·i·ty
ik-ˈstre-mə-tē 
plural extremities
1
a
: the farthest or most remote part, section, or point
the island's westernmost extremity
b
: a limb of the body
especially
: a human hand or foot
2
a
: extreme danger or critical need
b
: a moment marked by imminent destruction or death
3
a
: an intense degree
… the extremity of his participation.—
Saturday Rev.
Saturday Rev.
b
: the utmost degree (as of emotion or pain)
4
: a drastic or desperate act or measure
driven to extremities
Examples of extremity in a Sentence
The extremity of her grief is impossible to imagine.
made offers of aid to the refugees, and of asylum in extremity
Recent Examples on the Web
Cabot experienced firsthand the extremity of public shaming that women have long experienced when in the negative spotlight of the media, one their male counterparts often seem to avoid.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
Konfidenz gets at how paranoia, especially the hyper-vigilant attention and the ever-present heat of standing too close to dangerous extremities of action and emotion, can sometime feel, scrambledly, like love.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026
When your extremities are warm, blood flows more easily to the skin, allowing excess heat from your core to escape.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 4 Feb. 2026
An autopsy conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner found that Krampitz died of blunt impact injuries of his torso and extremities.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for extremity
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Greta Cross, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
Konfidenz gets at how paranoia, especially the hyper-vigilant attention and the ever-present heat of standing too close to dangerous extremities of action and emotion, can sometime feel, scrambledly, like love.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026
When your extremities are warm, blood flows more easily to the skin, allowing excess heat from your core to escape.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 4 Feb. 2026
An autopsy conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner found that Krampitz died of blunt impact injuries of his torso and extremities.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for extremity
Cite this Entry
“Extremity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extremity. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
extremity
noun
ex·trem·i·ty
ik-ˈstrem-ət-ē
plural extremities
1
: the farthest limit, point, or part
2
: an end part of a limb of the body (as a hand or foot)
3
: an extreme degree (as of emotion or pain)
Medical Definition
extremity
noun
ex·trem·i·ty
ik-ˈstrem-ət-ē
plural extremities
1
: the farthest or most remote part, section, or point
2
: a limb of the body
especially
: a human hand or foot
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