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Synonym Chooser

How is the word extravagant different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of extravagant are excessive, exorbitant, extreme, immoderate, and inordinate. While all these words mean "going beyond a normal limit," extravagant implies an indifference to restraints imposed by truth, prudence, or good taste.

extravagant claims for the product

When is excessive a more appropriate choice than extravagant?

While the synonyms excessive and extravagant are close in meaning, excessive implies an amount or degree too great to be reasonable or acceptable.

excessive punishment

When would exorbitant be a good substitute for extravagant?

The synonyms exorbitant and extravagant are sometimes interchangeable, but exorbitant implies a departure from accepted standards regarding amount or degree.

exorbitant prices

In what contexts can extreme take the place of extravagant?

While in some cases nearly identical to extravagant, extreme may imply an approach to the farthest limit possible or conceivable but commonly means only to a notably high degree.

extreme shyness

Where would immoderate be a reasonable alternative to extravagant?

In some situations, the words immoderate and extravagant are roughly equivalent. However, immoderate implies lack of desirable or necessary restraint.

immoderate spending

When is it sensible to use inordinate instead of extravagant?

The meanings of inordinate and extravagant largely overlap; however, inordinate implies an exceeding of the limits dictated by reason or good judgment.

inordinate pride

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 extravagant Although Coogler’s film encompasses legend and mysticism, his manner is rationally extravagant; the action, even at its most fantastical, is underpinned by audacious ideas. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2025 To finish the extravagant meal, diners have the option to choose between a Chocolate brioche served with buckwheat and chicory ice cream or Crêpes Suzette that are flambéed tableside on the Grill’s original solid silver trolley. Rachel Dube, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025 These casinos also host daily, monthly, quarterly and annual draws where players can win different prizes that range from loyalty points and cash to extravagant experiences. Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2025 Train Routes Highlight European Beauty: Most of these routes run daily, come at no extravagant cost and have special details that will make your journey comfortable, scenic and memorable. Elisabeth Vincentelli, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for extravagant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extravagant
Adjective
  • Griffin has in the past criticized Trump, but said during the event that the administration’s efforts to crack down on immigration and to cut wasteful government spending were good things.
    Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 23 Apr. 2025
  • While this page supports fiscal responsibility and eliminating wasteful spending, the latest moves have an ulterior motive.
    Orlando Sentinel and Chicago Tribune editorial boards, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, excessive rainfall from the weekend storms has led to river and creek flooding in areas south and east of the Kansas City metro.
    Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Listen to this article The Aurora City Council at a meeting Tuesday is set to consider changes to the parking ordinance that police say will help with the excessive number of commercial vehicles being parked on city roads.
    R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Critics dismissed it as expensive and unnecessary, arguing that students could read a guide or browse online forums for free.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Mandatory spending—like those entitlement programs—is much more expensive than discretionary spending.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Women are being stripped of their titles and, in the most extreme cases, their rights.
    Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Think about the weather: Between 2018 and 2023, three out of four people in the U.S. experienced an extreme weather event like a hurricane, a fire, or a flood.
    Jennifer Tescher, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Senior executives are now shouldering more direct reports, managing tasks once owned by middle managers, and losing valuable time for strategic thinking.
    Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Years before, scientists funded by industry scouted the seabed there, discovering both valuable minerals and new forms of life.
    Christian Elliott, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Amanda learned in like 10 seconds, which is insane.
    Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2025
  • The emu egg—a two pound, eight-inch ovoid with a sultry teal shell gently speckled in pale green—seemed like just the right absurdist final flourish for an already insane endeavor.
    Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • For China, a sudden sell-off of U.S. Treasuries would also be extremely costly, increasing the value of its currency and, thus, the cost of Chinese exports even further.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The first season was incredibly costly for many of the families.
    Daniel Eduardo Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • For all his Trump flattery and lavish gift-giving, Abe never scored Japan a pass in Trump 1.0 tariffs.
    William Pesek, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Even more impressive than just its size is its beautiful, lavish marble decoration inside.
    Danuta Hamlin, FOXNews.com, 13 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Extravagant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extravagant. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

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