radical
[adjective]
Synonyms:
- fundamental, basic, deep-seated, innate, natural, profound
- extreme, complete, drastic, entire, extremist, fanatical, severe, sweeping, thorough
[noun]
Synonyms:
- extremist, fanatic, militant, revolutionary

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Antonyms: superficial, conservative
Contrasted words: bitter-ender, diehard, fogy, intransigent, mossback, reactionary, rightist, standpatter
Related Words: cardinal, essential, vital, constitutional, inherent, intrinsic, liberal, progressive, reformer, agitator, insurgent, insurrectionist, rebel, anarchist, nihilist, red, subversive, out-and-outer, secessionist, separatist

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English Thesaurus: right-wing, left-wing, green, radical, liberal, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. rad‧i‧cal¹ W3 AC /ˈrædɪkəl/ adjective
[Word Family: noun: radical, radicalism; verb: radicalize; adverb: radically; adjective: radical]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Late Latin; Origin: radicalis, from Latin radix 'root']

1. CHANGE/DIFFERENCE a radical change or difference is very big and important Antonym : slight:
They are proposing radical changes to the way the company is run.
a radical reform of the tax system
There are radical differences between the two organizations.

2. OPINIONS radical ideas are very new and different, and are against what most people think or believe ⇒ conservative:
He has put forward some very radical ideas.
I was shocked by her radical views.
a radical approach to education

3. PEOPLE someone who is radical has ideas that are very new and different, and against what most people think or believe:
a radical left-wing politician
a radical feminist

4. GOOD American English informal very good or enjoyable:
That was one radical party last night!
—radically /-kli/ adverb:
a radically different method of production
a radically new approach to the problem

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. radical² AC noun [countable]
[Word Family: noun: radical, radicalism; verb: radicalize; adverb: radically; adjective: radical]
someone who has new and different ideas, especially someone who wants complete social and political change ⇒ conservative:
radicals on the extreme left wing of the party
—radicalism noun [uncountable]

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

radical
adj.
VERBS be, seem, sound | become
ADV. really, very | increasingly | fairly, quite, somewhat | genuinely, truly a truly radical concept
apparently | potentially | politically, socially

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

radical

a radical change
If that offer is serious, it will mark a radical change in policy.
a radical transformation (=a complete change in appearance, especially when this is an improvement)
The city has undergone a radical transformation.
radical measures (=extreme actions)
Instead of retreating, he suggested even more radical measures.
radical reform (=big changes to a system or organization in order to improve it)
He said the institution was in need of radical reform.
a radical overhaul (=big changes in order to improve something)
government plans for a radical overhaul of the health care system
a radical difference
There is a radical difference between this and other dieting methods.
a radical departure (=something very different)
The design of the building is a radical departure from tradition.
a radical rethink (=when you think about a plan or idea again in a very different way)
The Conservative Party leader called for a radical rethink of economic policy.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

right-wing adjective a right-wing person or group wants low taxes, a strong army and police force, and the individual to be free from government interference as much as possible:
right-wing political parties
Some of his supporters are very right-wing.
right-wing policies on gun control
left-wing adjective a left-wing person or group wants the government to make society more equal by increasing taxes for rich people, and taking control of important industries and services:
a left-wing newspaper
His views are very left-wing.
green adjective [usually before noun] supporting policies and principles which will protect the environment:
green politicians
the Green Party
The government is under pressure to improve its green credentials (=to seem more like it wants to protect the environment).
radical adjective supporting political ideas that will involve great change:
radical politicians
a radical economic reform programme
liberal adjective supporting political ideas that will allow people to have greater freedom:
They want the government to have a more liberal policy on drugs.
moderate adjective having political opinions which are not extreme:
People generally become more moderate as they get older.
The bill is supported by moderate Republicans.
extreme adjective having political opinions which are considered to be very unreasonable by many people:
His views on immigration are very extreme.
an extreme right-wing organization

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲