extreme prejudice

Meanings

nounextreme prejudice (uncountable)

uncountableLethal force, applied extrajudicially with the intent to kill.
Osborn was involved in the liquidation program and cites an example of a Vietnamese operative being liquidated with extreme prejudice on orders from higher headquarters.
1971, American Prisoners of War in Southeast Asia, U.S. Government Printing Office, page 575
uncountableSevere treatment.
Without a real market to determine the price such suggested prices should be discounted with extreme prejudice by any potential investors.
2002, Finance Week, page 81
uncountableUsed other than figuratively or idiomatically: see extreme, prejudice.
For example, majority-group members may view minority groups with suspicion, but not all minority groups become the targets of extreme prejudice and discrimination.
2002, Vincent N. Parrillo, Understanding Race and Ethnic Relations, page 16
1 more example
The centerpiece of the court's justification for reversing and remanding was its conclusion that when the trial judge disclosed the terms of the settlement, he created a great risk of extreme prejudice to the remaining defendant.
1989, Defense Law Journal, volume 38, page 301

From the longer phrase terminate with extreme prejudice, popularized by the film Apocalypse Now (1979), but used earlier jokingly as CIA jargon.

Cite this entry

APA

extreme prejudice. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/extreme%20prejudice

MLA

“extreme prejudice.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/extreme%20prejudice. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “extreme prejudice,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/extreme%20prejudice.