Extremism

noun (uncountable)

/ɪkˈstriːmɪzəm/

The holding of radical political, religious, or ideological views that reject compromise and advocate for drastic, often violent, measures to achieve objectives.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

The state's counter-radicalisation strategy must address the socio-economic alienation and online echo chambers that incubate extremism, for coercive policing alone can suppress its symptoms without dissolving the grievances that sustain it.

Synonyms

radicalismfanaticismzealotrymilitancyultraismdogmatism

Antonyms

moderationcentrismtemperancepragmatism

🌱 Word Family

extremist (n/adj), extreme (adj/n), extremely (adv), extremity (n), extremes (n pl)

🔡 Root

Latin extremus = outermost, utmost; -ism = noun suffix denoting doctrine; first recorded 1840s

📜 Etymology

From Latin extremus ("outermost, utmost") + -ism; first recorded in English in the 1840s; in Indian security discourse, it encompasses both Left Wing Extremism (Naxalism/Maoism) and right-wing or religiously motivated extremism.

🧠 Memory Hook

Extremism = "EXTREME" + "ism": a doctrine ("-ism") of pushing views to the very EXTREME edge, far past the moderate middle.

📝 Seen in UPSC Question Papers

Prelims 2024 — Internal Security
Prelims 2017 — Internal Security
Prelims 2016 — Internal Security
Mains 2024 · GS4 · 25 marks — Case Study
Mains 2020 · GS3 · 15 marks — Internal Security
Mains 2018 · GS3 · 10 marks — Security
Mains 2015 · GS3 · 12.5 marks — Security

Real UPSC previous-year questions whose text uses “Extremism” — proof this word earns its place on your list.

🛡️ Internal Security 📖 Seen in: Internal Security — Threats, Cyber Sec...

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