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.

---

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

---

Other Word Forms

• direct actionist noun

Etymology

Origin of direct action

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

“People find direct action so un-British, so when it happens they are so surprised, despite the fact that our whole history is built on it,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

A more recent Leger poll conducted earlier this month indicates that one in three Canadians believe the US could take "direct action" to control Canada in the future.

From BBC

But for those considering direct action elsewhere, there were lessons in 2025 of how protest can produce results.

From BBC

"At the budget I will take direct action to ease the cost of living for all households," she wrote in The Times newspaper.

From Barron's

As the head of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, Randolph believed in the power of strikes and direct action to get results.

From The Wall Street Journal