See More

Some common synonyms of extravagant<\/em> are excessive<\/em><\/a>, exorbitant<\/em><\/a>, extreme<\/em><\/a>, immoderate<\/em><\/a>, and inordinate<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"going beyond a normal limit,\" extravagant<\/em> implies an indifference to restraints imposed by truth, prudence, or good taste.<\/p>

\/\/ extravagant<\/em> claims for the product<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'excessive' a more appropriate choice than 'extravagant'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While the synonyms excessive<\/em><\/a> and extravagant<\/em> are close in meaning, excessive<\/em> implies an amount or degree too great to be reasonable or acceptable.<\/p>

\/\/ excessive<\/em> punishment<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When would 'exorbitant' be a good substitute for 'extravagant'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms exorbitant<\/em><\/a> and extravagant<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but exorbitant<\/em> implies a departure from accepted standards regarding amount or degree.<\/p>

\/\/ exorbitant<\/em> prices<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "In what contexts can 'extreme' take the place of 'extravagant'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to extravagant<\/em>, extreme<\/em><\/a> may imply an approach to the farthest limit possible or conceivable but commonly means only to a notably high degree.<\/p>

\/\/ extreme<\/em> shyness<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'immoderate' be a reasonable alternative to 'extravagant'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words immoderate<\/em><\/a> and extravagant<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, immoderate<\/em> implies lack of desirable or necessary restraint.<\/p>

\/\/ immoderate<\/em> spending<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is it sensible to use 'inordinate' instead of 'extravagant'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The meanings of inordinate<\/em><\/a> and extravagant<\/em> largely overlap; however, inordinate<\/em> implies an exceeding of the limits dictated by reason or good judgment.<\/p>

\/\/ inordinate<\/em> pride<\/p>" } } ] }

extravagant

adjective

ik-ˈstra-vi-gÉ™nt How to pronounce extravagant (audio)
Definition of extravagantnext
1
as in wasteful
given to spending money freely or foolishly the billionaire's son is the typically extravagant playboy who hasn't earned any of what he spends

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in excessive
going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount the book doesn't quite merit the extravagant praise that it has received

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in expensive
commanding a large price wooed her with an array of extravagant gifts

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word extravagant different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of extravagant are excessive, exorbitant, extreme, immoderate, and inordinate. While all these words mean "going beyond a normal limit," extravagant implies an indifference to restraints imposed by truth, prudence, or good taste.

extravagant claims for the product

When is excessive a more appropriate choice than extravagant?

While the synonyms excessive and extravagant are close in meaning, excessive implies an amount or degree too great to be reasonable or acceptable.

excessive punishment

When would exorbitant be a good substitute for extravagant?

The synonyms exorbitant and extravagant are sometimes interchangeable, but exorbitant implies a departure from accepted standards regarding amount or degree.

exorbitant prices

In what contexts can extreme take the place of extravagant?

While in some cases nearly identical to extravagant, extreme may imply an approach to the farthest limit possible or conceivable but commonly means only to a notably high degree.

extreme shyness

Where would immoderate be a reasonable alternative to extravagant?

In some situations, the words immoderate and extravagant are roughly equivalent. However, immoderate implies lack of desirable or necessary restraint.

immoderate spending

When is it sensible to use inordinate instead of extravagant?

The meanings of inordinate and extravagant largely overlap; however, inordinate implies an exceeding of the limits dictated by reason or good judgment.

inordinate pride

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of extravagant Earlier that year, Lorber, who had served as the chairman of Nathan’s Famous before investing in Elliman, had toured the job site of an extravagant spec home being built on Indian Creek Island, a private retreat a mile from Bal Harbour. —James D. Walsh, Curbed, 10 Mar. 2026 The Mandarin Oriental is a luxury hotel chain that prides itself on its traditional, opulent aesthetic and extravagant accommodations. —Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 9 Mar. 2026 Rectifying the deficit is going to take more than simply hoping that the economy grows enough to fund an extravagant budget. —Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 8 Mar. 2026 Noem has also been under fire for extravagant spending at the department, while placing restrictions on FEMA disaster relief funds. —Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for extravagant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extravagant
  1. wasteful
  2. excessive
  3. expensive
  4. extreme
  5. valuable
  6. insane
  7. costly
  8. lavish
Adjective
  • Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 21 Mar. 2026
  • What to read next Breakfast was excellent and felt elegant rather than wasteful.
    — Laura French, TheWeek, 16 Mar. 2026
Definition of wasteful
Adjective
  • Illinois Senate President Don Harmon should pass legislation granting the Illinois Department of Insurance the power to reject excessive rate hikes by insurance companies regarding homeowners’ insurance rates.
    — Willie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
  • The National Park Service warns that excessive saltwater intrusion can weaken the trees over time, and in some cases, eventually kill them.
    — Dan Peck, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of excessive
Adjective
  • This will overcome the main challenge of firing expensive missile interceptors to knock out these threats; the economics don’t add up.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 22 Mar. 2026
  • The newest residents of some of the city’s most expensive real estate pitched their shelters in the shadow of the port where, in 2020, a massive blast rocked most of Beirut, killing hundreds and destroying a chunk of the capital.
    — Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of expensive
Adjective
  • In 2024, Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation that prohibits cities and counties from creating their own heat exposure protections for outdoor workers—a move critics say limits local efforts to address extreme working conditions.
    — Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
  • The technology is aimed primarily at reducing the extreme physical strain experienced by artillery crews.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of extreme
Adjective
  • While rainfall runs off quickly and can more readily evaporate from soil, snowpack serves as a valuable and lasting source of moisture and accounts for a majority of water supplies across the region, as much as 80 percent in some areas.
    — Mira Rojanasakul, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
  • This pattern encodes valuable information.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of valuable
Adjective
  • If he was convicted, a jury would then have to decide whether Abril was insane when the park shooting occurred.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 26 Mar. 2026
  • And the culture is happily playing along in the name of this insane thirst of Stan culture to have something on the other side.
    — Jem Aswad, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of insane
Adjective
  • And don’t forget wildfires that are worsened by heat and drought, so recent extremes should include 2025’s Palisades and Eaton wildfires, which were the costliest weather disaster in the United States last year, said Climate Central meteorologist and economist Adam Smith.
    — Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Such terms are not unusual and can help insurance companies weather costly disasters.
    — Scott Pham, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of costly
Adjective
  • In recent months, Meta Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg, Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin and others have bought up lavish beachfront estates and new commercial office spaces in South Florida.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Brazilian celebrities and politicians are known to frequent this exceptionally lavish event, with a black tie, long-dress dress code; tickets start from £600 and go into the thousands.
    — Laura French, TheWeek, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of lavish

Browse Nearby Words

extravagancy
extravagant
extravagantly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Extravagant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extravagant. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on extravagant

Nglish: Translation of extravagant for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of dross

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

The Words of the Week - Mar. 27

Why do we call it a 'pipe dream'?

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
little boy with a magnifying glass looking at footprints
Quiz: Spot the Misspelled Word! Think you can detect a spelling error from a mile...
See All