extremely

The word "extremely" weakens prose by serving as a hedge that diminishes the strength of the description. It suggests uncertainty, implying that the writer does not trust the adjective to convey the intended meaning on its own. When we use "extremely," we often dilute the emotional impact of our descriptions, leaving readers less engaged. Most of the time, deleting "extremely" results in clearer, more powerful writing without sacrificing meaning. Before: She was extremely tired after the long journey. After: She was tired after the long journey. Before: The room was extremely cold, sending shivers down her spine. After: The room was cold, sending shivers down her spine. Before: He felt extremely happy when he received the news. After: He felt happy when he received the news. In some scenarios, "extremely" can earn its place. When you are writing a character's internal thoughts, especially in moments of heightened emotion, it can convey a specific emotional state. For example, a character reflecting on their overwhelming joy might say, "I was extremely happy to see her again," to emphasize their intensity of feeling. The exaggeration can enhance the voice and authenticity of the character. Ask yourself: If I remove "extremely," does the sentence still convey what I intended? If so, then it is clutter.