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
Synonyms
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
The decision should come as no surprise, as Rizzo spent the entire season battling injuries, whether fractured fingers or a lower extremity injury.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Nov. 2024
Across western North Carolina, homes and structures were collapsing after water invaded their lower extremities, snapping frames or pushing homes clean off foundations.
—Chris Kenning, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024
Four of them were related to border falls, with lower extremity injuries that generally required a few days to heal enough for discharge.
—Paul Sisson, The Mercury News, 21 Oct. 2024
Raynaud’s phenomenon, also called Raynaud’s syndrome, is a condition that causes the small blood vessels in the extremities to constrict.
—John Loeppky, Verywell Health, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for extremity 
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David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Nov. 2024
Across western North Carolina, homes and structures were collapsing after water invaded their lower extremities, snapping frames or pushing homes clean off foundations.
—Chris Kenning, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024
Four of them were related to border falls, with lower extremity injuries that generally required a few days to heal enough for discharge.
—Paul Sisson, The Mercury News, 21 Oct. 2024
Raynaud’s phenomenon, also called Raynaud’s syndrome, is a condition that causes the small blood vessels in the extremities to constrict.
—John Loeppky, Verywell Health, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for extremity
Dictionary Entries Near extremity
Cite this Entry
“Extremity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extremity. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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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