netroots

American  

[net-roots, ‑-roots] / ˈnɛtˌruts, ‑ˌrʊts /

plural noun

1. an online community of grassroots political activists who use blogs and other social media to achieve results.

   The netroots have had genuine impact, changing U.S. politics in many ways.

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Etymology

Origin of netroots

First recorded in 2000–05; (inter)net + (grass)roots

Example Sentences

One prominent netroots group, whose language mirrors that of many others, insists these offerings "thwart innovation, threaten free speech, and restrict consumer choice."

From US News • May 16, 2016

The first sign of it was a term now forgotten, "netroots".

From New York Times • Jan. 19, 2016

He ran for Senate in 2006 after a lively netroots “Draft Jim Webb” campaign, and a year later he was widely seen as a fitting running mate for Obama.

From Slate • Oct. 14, 2015

"The national netroots is for the most part disengaged from this primary," says Markos Moulitsas, founder of Daily Kos, where bloggers have been trying to get readers to donate to Brunner's campaign.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2010

Jacobs's organization, Courage Campaign, started in 2005 to pursue progressive issues in the state, and its Web site says it has 700,000 "grassroots and netroots citizens."

From Newsweek • Feb. 17, 2010