ENGLISH
REFERENCE

extremes

n. C / U
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ɛkˈstɹimz// UK //ɛkstɹˈiːmz// ex·tremes

n. the highest or lowest levels of something, such as very hot or very cold weather. You use this to describe situations that are far from the middle or average.

n. the furthest possible points or degrees of a quality, state, or condition. Often used to describe intense opposites, such as wealth and poverty or heat and cold.


SIMPLE

The weather reached extremes of heat this summer.

CONTEXTUAL

The marathon runners had to prepare for extremes of temperature as they crossed the desert.

COMPLEX

Political discourse in the region has moved toward extremes, leaving little room for the moderate voices that once dominated the local assembly.

Synonyms
Usage

Often used in the plural form to describe a range between two opposites.

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