lunatic fringe


noun

members on the periphery of any group, especially political, social, or religious, who hold extreme or fanatical views.

Origin of lunatic fringe

An Americanism dating back to 1910–15

Words nearby lunatic fringe

British Dictionary definitions for lunatic fringe

lunatic fringe

noun

the members of a society or group who adopt or support views regarded as extreme or fanatical

Cultural definitions for lunatic fringe

lunatic fringe

Derogatory name for the extreme radical members of a group, especially in politics: “The candidate referred to the organization as being on the lunatic fringe of conservatism.” The term was coined by Theodore Roosevelt.