extravagant

adjective

ik-ˈstra-vi-gənt How to pronounce extravagant (audio)
Definition of extravagantnext
1
as in wasteful
given to spending money freely or foolishly the billionaire's son is the typically extravagant playboy who hasn't earned any of what he spends

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in excessive
going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount the book doesn't quite merit the extravagant praise that it has received

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in expensive
commanding a large price wooed her with an array of extravagant gifts

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 But superhero movies stand apart because the extravagant costs to make and market them demand an audience of commensurate size will show up to see them. —Adam B. Vary, Variety, 28 May 2025 The brothers, known for their extravagant lifestyle and controversial online personas, both deny all charges. —Willem Marx, NPR, 28 May 2025 The aircraft so extravagant, it’s been called the flying palace. —ABC News, 18 May 2025 Next week, a coterie of crypto investors will share an extravagant dinner with US president Donald Trump at his golf club in Washington, DC. —Joel Khalili, Wired News, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for extravagant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extravagant
  1. wasteful
  2. excessive
  3. expensive
  4. extreme
  5. valuable
  6. insane
  7. costly
  8. lavish
Adjective
  • Margins are thin, labor costs are rising, and many processes are inefficient and wasteful.
    — Spencer Dorn, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • Critics say the aid programs are wasteful and promote a liberal agenda.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 June 2025
Definition of wasteful
Adjective
  • As a Millennial what’s your take on Gen Z’s excessive use of exclamation points?
    — Frank DiGiacomo, Billboard, 9 June 2025
  • The coroner ruled Carol’s cause of death as hypovolemia, which is when the plasma is too low from excessive bleeding; multiple stab and incised wounds from a sharp instrument; and a blunt force injury that fractured the skull, according to the coroner’s report.
    — Stephanie Warsmith, USA Today, 8 June 2025
Definition of excessive
Adjective
  • And now, despite not having a significant air force, Ukraine has succeeded in destroying at least a dozen expensive and hard to replace strategic bombers deep inside Russia.
    — Editorial, Boston Herald, 13 June 2025
  • But advocates argue that paying for college now is also complicated and expensive, and discourages many Americans from going.
    — Jon Marcus, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
Definition of expensive
Adjective
  • These warnings meant boaters along the coast faced immediate risk of capsizing or damage due to extreme sea and wind conditions.
    — Barney Henderson, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
  • As shocking and extreme as this season was, all paths led here.
    — Jennifer Adams, StyleCaster, 5 June 2025
Definition of extreme
Adjective
  • While automation and machine learning are reshaping industries, the most valuable skills in today’s job market are innately human.
    — William Arruda, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
  • Dairy farming is the second-most valuable component of Connecticut’s agricultural sector, according to the state’s Department of Agriculture.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 8 June 2025
Definition of valuable
Adjective
  • Amanda learned in like 10 seconds, which is insane.
    — Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2025
  • If 51% of the population is being so underserved, the ratio to opportunity is insane.
    — Gemma Allen, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Definition of insane
Adjective
  • Try to process what is happening to avoid costly mistakes.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 5 June 2025
  • Maurice felt bad for Nosek over his costly mistake, noting his line had been instrumental in the previous series win over Toronto.
    — Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 5 June 2025
Definition of costly
Adjective
  • Zaya recently turned 18 and had a lavish birthday ball to celebrate the milestone age.
    — Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 3 June 2025
  • From cultish family dynamics to whodunits set in lavish locales, here are 12 shows fans of Sirens should add to their watch list.
    — Emily Blackwood, People.com, 3 June 2025
Definition of lavish

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Cite this Entry

“Extravagant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extravagant. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.

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