direct action

American  

noun

1. any action seeking to achieve an immediate or direct result, especially an action against an established authority or powerful institution, as a strike or picketing.

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direct action British  

noun

1. action such as strikes or civil disobedience, employed by organized labour or other groups to obtain demands from an employer, government, etc

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Other Word Forms

• direct actionist
  noun

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Etymology

Origin of direct action

First recorded in 1835–45

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

direct action

On that score, she decides it’s time for direct action.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 21, 2026

Palestine Action describes itself as a "direct action movement" that uses "disruptive tactics".

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

The findings suggest that authorities may eventually need to take more direct action to address pollution from certain wrecks.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 14, 2026

In his younger days Bailey was less interested in parliamentary process, preferring direct action.

From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026

Wilkins fired up no one, but his qualified support for direct action did convince some of the older black businessmen that what the students were doing was legitimate if not necessarily advisable.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

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