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

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 • Jan. 19, 2026

"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 • Nov. 25, 2025

It produced less midfield play, but more direct action in both boxes.

From BBC • Nov. 23, 2025

But, if protesting is just fruitless exhibitionism, as Teddy claims, and radical acts of direct action don’t seem to work any better, what is there to do if no one will listen?

From Salon • Oct. 31, 2025

He argued ceaselessly for economic empowerment, carrying along in his wake less progressive blacks who were still getting used to the idea of direct action for even social goals.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson