extremist
Meaning: A person who holds radical political or religious views, especially one who advocates illegal, violent, or other extreme action to advance those views.
Extremist is a heavily loaded term in political and security discourse, almost invariably pejorative. It is frequently qualified — far-right extremist, Islamist extremist, domestic extremist — and appears in legal and policy frameworks such as the UK's Prevent strategy. Unlike 'radical,' which can carry positive connotations of necessary change, extremist implies a rejection of democratic norms and an embrace of violence or coercion.
Examples
- The government unveiled new powers to tackle extremists operating online. 政府公布了打击网络极端分子的新权力。El gobierno presentó nuevos poderes para combatir a los extremistas que operan en línea.政府はオンラインで活動する過激派に対処するための新たな権限を公表した。정부는 온라인에서 활동하는 과격파에 대처하기 위한 새로운 권한을 발표했다.
- Police identified the attacker as an extremist with links to a banned organisation. 警方认定袭击者为与一个被禁组织有联系的极端分子。La policía identificó al agresor como un extremista vinculado a una organización prohibida.警察は襲撃犯を禁止組織とつながりのある過激派と特定した。경찰은 그 공격자를 금지된 조직과 연계가 있는 과격파로 특정했다.
- Analysts warned that extremist ideologies were gaining traction among disillusioned young men. 分析人士警告说,极端主义意识形态正在幻灭的年轻男性中获得吸引力。Los analistas advirtieron de que las ideologías extremistas estaban ganando terreno entre jóvenes desilusionados.アナリストたちは、過激主義のイデオロギーが幻滅した若い男性の間で広がりつつあると警告した。분석가들은 과격주의 이데올로기가 환멸을 느낀 젊은 남성들 사이에서 확산되고 있다고 경고했다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: journalism, professional
Tone: critical
Origin & History
From Latin extremus (outermost, utmost), superlative of exterus (outer). The political sense emerged in English in the mid-19th century, initially describing the furthest wings of parliamentary blocs.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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