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

Menon added that it would be "laughable" if any Palestine Action activist actually believed direct action would achieve the group's stated aim to "shut Elbit down".

From BBC ● Jun. 12, 2026

McKissick’s first chance to join in a collective direct action against segregation came in 1947 while he was attending law school at North Carolina College in Durham.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

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