activist

[ak-tuh-vist]

See more synonyms for activist on Thesaurus.com

noun

an especially active, vigorous advocate of a cause, especially a political cause.

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.

Origin of activist

First recorded in 1905–10; active + -ist

Related formsnon·ac·tiv·ist, adjective, noun

Can be confusedactivist pacifist passivist

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for activist

activist, fighter, protester, demonstrator, combatant, rioter, militant, fanatic, radical, nut, maniac, extremist, diehard, dissident, enthusiast, devotee, bigot, freak, visionary, zealot

Examples from the Web for activist

Contemporary Examples of activist

The reason: activist government and unionized government often work at cross purposes.
How Public Sector Unions Divide the Democrats
Daniel DiSalvo
December 29, 2014
Robert Perske has long been an activist raising awareness of the issue of false confessions by people with ID.
How the U.S. Justice System Screws Prisoners with Disabilities
Elizabeth Picciuto
December 16, 2014
“Supporting Hamas, or not supporting Hamas is not the issue,” said Israeli activist Miko Peled.
Pro-Palestinian Group Lectured On Skirting Terror Laws
Shane Harris
December 5, 2014
Singers Nancy Wilson and Billy Eckstine attended, and actor and activist Ossie Davis delivered a well-received speech.
When Bill Cosby N-Bombed the Congressional Black Caucus
Asawin Suebsaeng
December 2, 2014
For the Democrats to win as the Government Party, activist government must demonstrate that it both works and is trustworthy.
2016 Is No Democratic Slam Dunk
Lloyd Green
December 1, 2014

Historical Examples of activist

We are not speaking of a reactionary revolution but of the "activist."
The New Society
Walther Rathenau
Because marriage is a sacred institution and the foundation of society, it should not be re-defined by activist judges.
Complete State of the Union Addresses from 1790 to 2006
Various
They're concerned about unethical conduct by public officials, and discouraged by activist courts that try to redefine marriage.
Complete State of the Union Addresses from 1790 to 2006
Various
This school of medicine advocated a return to clinical observation and a reduction of activist intervention.
Bloodletting Instruments in the National Museum of History and Technology
Audrey Davis
Well, it made me realize that he would like to be active in some kind of—activist.
Warren Commission (2 of 26): Hearings Vol. II (of 15)
The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy

Word Origin and History for activist

"one who advocates a doctrine of direct action," 1915; from active + -ist. Originally in reference to political forces in Sweden advocating abandonment of neutrality in World War I and active support for the Central Powers.