OpenSynonym

radical

/ˈrædɪkəl/

NOUN

1. A person who advocates fundamental political or social change

A person who holds radical opinions or supports significant political, social, or institutional reform, often challenging established systems and traditions.

1.1. Political reformers and revolutionaries

Used for people who advocate substantial political or social reform, support revolutionary ideas, or seek to transform existing institutions.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • The activists advocated for radical changes to address social inequality.

Related Words

1.2. People with unconventional or rebellious opinions

Used for individuals whose beliefs challenge conventional thinking, established doctrines, or widely accepted social norms.

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • conformist
  • traditionalist
  • conservative
  • orthodox
  • dogmatist

Examples

  • The scientist proposed a radical theory that challenged conventional wisdom.

Related Words

NOUN

2. A root or fundamental component

The root of a number or quantity, or a basic element from which something is derived or constructed.

2.1. Mathematical roots and numerical factors

Used in mathematics to refer to a root of a number or quantity, or to the product of the distinct prime factors of a positive integer.

Synonyms

Related Words

  • radix
  • square root
  • cube root
  • prime number
  • integer
  • factorization

NOUN

3. A basic element of a written or spoken language

A fundamental component of a character or word, such as the semantic component of a logographic character or the consonants forming the root of a Semitic word.

3.1. Written characters and linguistic roots

Used in linguistics to describe a basic component of a written character that indicates meaning, or the consonantal root from which words in Semitic languages are formed.

Synonyms

Related Words

  • morpheme
  • grapheme
  • phonetic component
  • logographic writing
  • consonant
  • triliteral root
  • etymology

NOUN

4. An atom group involved in chemical reactions

A group of atoms joined by covalent bonds that participates in chemical reactions as a single unit, or an individual free radical.

4.1. Chemical groups and free radicals

Used in chemistry to refer to an atomic group that behaves as a unit during reactions, or a free radical involved in chemical processes.

Synonyms

  • atomic group
  • free radical

Related Words

  • atom
  • molecule
  • covalent bond
  • electron
  • unpaired electron
  • reactivity
  • chemical reaction

ADJECTIVE

5. Favoring fundamental or far-reaching change

Favoring significant change at the root cause of a matter, rather than minor adjustments to existing conditions or systems.

5.1. Political and social reform

Describes ideas, policies, or movements that seek major changes to political institutions, social structures, or established systems.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • The scientist proposed a radical theory that challenged conventional wisdom.
  • The activists advocated for radical changes to address social inequality.

Related Words

5.2. Extreme and uncompromising positions

Describes ideas, measures, or positions that are unusually extreme, sweeping, or unwilling to accept compromise.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • The artist's new painting showcased a radical departure from their previous work.

Related Words

  • extremism
  • radicalism
  • intensity
  • intransigence
  • extremist

ADJECTIVE

6. Pertaining to a root or basic nature

Relating to the root of a plant, the fundamental or intrinsic nature of something, or the underlying basis of a word.

6.1. Fundamental and intrinsic qualities

Describes something that belongs to the essential, inherent, or underlying nature of a subject rather than its superficial or secondary characteristics.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

6.2. Plant roots and botanical structures

Describes something that relates to the root of a plant or belongs to its underground root structure.

Synonyms

Related Words

  • root
  • root system
  • rootstock
  • rhizome
  • botany
  • plant anatomy

6.3. Word roots and linguistic structure

Describes something relating to the root or basic form of a word from which other words are derived.

Synonyms

Related Words

  • word stem
  • morpheme
  • etymology
  • word formation
  • derivation
  • linguistics

ADJECTIVE

7. Relating to sounds produced with the root of the tongue

Describing a speech sound produced using the root of the tongue.

7.1. Phonetics and speech articulation

Used in phonetics to describe sounds articulated with the root of the tongue.

Synonyms

Related Words

  • phonetics
  • articulation
  • tongue root
  • speech sound
  • consonant

ADJECTIVE

8. Involving free radicals

Relating to or involving free radicals, which are atoms or molecules with unpaired electrons.

8.1. Chemistry and free-radical reactions

Used in chemistry to describe substances, reactions, or processes involving free radicals.

Synonyms

Related Words

  • free radical
  • unpaired electron
  • oxidation
  • chemical reaction
  • radical reaction

ADJECTIVE

9. Relating to a radix or mathematical root

Pertaining to a radix or mathematical root, particularly in numerical systems and mathematical operations.

9.1. Mathematical roots and number systems

Used in mathematics to describe concepts involving a radix, numerical base, or mathematical root.

Synonyms

Related Words

  • radix
  • base
  • square root
  • cube root
  • number system
  • mathematical operation

ADJECTIVE

10. Excellent or impressive

An informal or dated slang use meaning excellent, impressive, exciting, or exceptionally good.

10.1. Informal praise and approval

Used informally, particularly in slang from the 1980s and 1990s, to describe something exceptionally good, impressive, or exciting.

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • awful
  • atrocious
  • bad
  • terrible
  • mediocre
  • poor
  • lousy
  • inferior
  • substandard
  • unsatisfactory

Examples

  • Her fashion choices were always radical, pushing the boundaries of style.

Related Words