activist
Americannoun
adjective
-
of or relating to activism or activists.
an activist organization for environmental concern.
-
advocating or opposing a cause or issue vigorously, especially a political cause.
Activist opponents of the president picketed the White House.
Usage
What does activist mean? An activist is a person who engages in activism—the practice of taking direct action to achieve political or social goals.An activist may support a particular cause (or range of causes) or oppose it.In any case, an activist tries to achieve such goals through direct (and continued) actions, such as protests, lawsuits, lobbying, petitions, and strikes.The word activist implies that the person takes such actions consistently—that they are consistently active in these pursuits. For example, protesting is a form of activism, but someone who attends one protest probably wouldn’t be called an activist (unless they continue to take such actions).The word activist is often preceded by a word referring to the kind of cause the activist is involved in, as in political activist or animal rights activist. It can also be used as an adjective to describe such people or their activities, as in activist lawyer or activist organization. Example: The prominent activist is known for organizing this summer’s mass protests.
Other Word Forms
- nonactivist adjective
Etymology
Origin of activist
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Feminist activist Sawsan Zakzak, 65, said she had been limiting her electricity consumption because she and her husband live on low pensions.
From Barron's
Known also as the "Black President", the activist and legendary musician, died in 1997 at the age 58.
From Barron's
"He was very keen not to come across as a whistleblower, or an activist photographer," he added.
From Barron's
He pivoted to activist investing for a time, agitating for change at companies including Nordstrom and Bed Bath & Beyond, where he faced allegations—that he denied—of misleading investors.
Mexicans’ sympathy has waned as Havana’s social gains have faded, and Cuba’s poverty has grown along with its repression of students and activists.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
