Extremizes

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To push a position, condition, or value to its utmost limits or most extreme point; to express or advocate ideas in a way that departs far from the moderate or usual range; to treat a variable in mathematics or statistics by identifying its maximum or minimum extent
2. To drive circumstances or opinions toward the farthest boundary or most radical state; to hold or promote views that exaggerate beyond the central or typical scope; to perform a calculation aimed at finding the peak or lowest point of a function or set
3. To extend or carry something to the furthest or most intense degree possible; to adopt or articulate beliefs that lie at the margins rather than the center; to conduct analysis focused on locating extreme values or turning points within a given domain

Etymology: "Extremizes" is the third-person singular present form of "extremize," which means to push something to its extreme. The base verb is formed from "extreme," borrowed from Latin "extremus," meaning "outermost" or "furthest," plus the suffix "-ize," which turns a noun or adjective into a verb meaning "to make or cause to be." So the verb literally means to make something more extreme. The suffix "-ize" has a long history in English, coming through Greek "-izein" and Latin "-izare," and it has been used to coin countless verbs. Attaching it to "extreme" was a straightforward step, and the "s" on "extremizes" simply marks the present tense for "he," "she," or "it."

Synonyms: radicalizes, exaggerates, intensifies

Antonyms: moderates, softens