至極|しごくshigoku[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. adverb, noun (suffix)very; extremely; exceedingly; quite; most
   奥おくさんが来これなかったなんて至極しごく残念ざんねんです。↗

   It's an awful shame your wife couldn't come.
2. no-adjective, na-adjectivetop; highest; best

• Synonym大変たいへんNeutralEveryday in both speech and writing, and also covers serious matters; 「至極」 is more written and often works as a suffix.
• Synonym極めてきわめてWrittenWritten, meaning extremely, as in 「極めて重要」; leans toward formal reports and, unlike 「至極」, is not used as a suffix.
• Synonym非常にひじょうにNeutralWorks in both speech and writing with an objective feel for degree; unlike 「至極」, it is not used as a suffix.
• Synonym甚だはなはだWrittenWritten and mostly negative, as in 「甚だ遺憾」; carries a solemn, formal tone.
• Synonym実にじつにFormalMeans truly or sincerely, common in formal thanks and apologies like 「誠に申し訳ない」; 「至極」 focuses on degree being utmost.
• SynonymたいそうWrittenWritten, somewhat exaggerated, as in 「大層喜ぶ」; has a slightly old-fashioned flavor.
• Synonym至っていたってWrittenWritten, as in 「至って元気」 or 「至って深刻」; modifies states good or bad, but unlike 「至極」 is not used as a suffix.
• SynonymとてもNeutralColloquial and the most common way to say very; paired with a negative it means not at all or simply cannot.
• SynonymずいぶんNeutralColloquial, meaning considerably with a hint of surprise, as in 「ずいぶん大きい」.
• SynonymよほどNeutralColloquial, meaning considerably or far more, as in 「よほど疲れていた」; often implies conjecture.
• SynonymよっぽどNeutralA more casual, emphatic form of 「余程」, as in 「よっぽど好き」.
• RelatedとびきりNeutralColloquial, meaning exceptional or top-notch, as in 「飛び切りの笑顔」; leans positive.
• RelatedひどくNeutralMostly negative in force, as in 「ひどく疲れた」; stresses an unpleasant degree.
• RelatedすこぶるWrittenWritten with an old-fashioned flavor, as in 「すこぶる元気」; tends to describe states.
• RelatedことのほかWrittenWritten, meaning exceptionally or more than expected, as in 「殊の外寒い」; adds a sense of surprise.
• RelatedごくごくNeutralColloquial, an emphatic form of 「ごく」, as in 「ごくごく普通」; 「至極」 is the more written choice.
• RelatedいともWrittenWritten, meaning extremely, typically in 「いとも簡単に」 or 「いともたやすく」.
• Related世にもよにもWrittenWritten, suggesting rarity in this world, as in 「世にも奇妙な物語」; suits the strange or extraordinary.

For everyday 'very', say 「とても」 or 「非常に」. 「至極」 is written style meaning extremely or utterly, used as a suffix in 「残念至極」 and as an adverb in 「至極当然」; in formal prose 「極めて」 is the standard alternative. Beyond those: 「大変」 and 「ずいぶん」 fit daily speech; 「甚だ」, 「大層」, 「すこぶる」, 「ことのほか」 and 「誠に」 are written or formal with their own nuances; 「ひどく」 leans negative; 「とびきり」 is upbeat and colloquial.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. この上うえないこと。最上さいじょう。
2. 極きわみに至いたること。
3. このうえなく。極きわめて。まったく。