hacktivist

British

/ ˈhæktɪvɪst /

noun

informal a person who breaks into a computer system in order to pursue a political or social aim

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

hacktivism noun

Etymology

Origin of hacktivist

C21: blend of _hacker and _activist

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Cybersecurity experts believe attacks conducted by Iranian state-backed factors and affiliated hacktivist groups could continue, likely targeting critical service providers in the energy, telecommunications, military, and finance sectors across the U.S. and its allies.

From Barron's • Mar. 29, 2026

And often these days, it can be difficult to distinguish a hacktivist from a state-sponsored cyber operator posing as one.

From Seattle Times • May 3, 2024

Mexican military intelligence reports leaked by the hacktivist group Guacamaya in 2022 contain multiple references to Colombian mercenaries operating in the Aguililla region of Michoacán.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 9, 2024

But other hacktivist groups working for other patriotic or ethical causes in the world told the BBC they would not be following the rules at all.

From BBC • Oct. 6, 2023

Recorded Future tracked about 100 pro-Russian hacktivist groups during the war’s first 100 days.

From Washington Times • Feb. 23, 2023

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023