activism
Americannoun
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the doctrine or practice of vigorous action or involvement as a means of achieving political or other goals, sometimes by demonstrations, protests, etc.
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Philosophy.
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a theory that the essence of reality is pure activity, especially spiritual activity, or process.
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a theory that the relationship between the mind and the objects of perception depends upon the action of the mind.
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noun
Usage
What does activism mean? Activism is the practice of taking direct action to achieve political or social goals.Activism can involve supporting a particular cause (or range of causes) or opposing it. Activism uses direct (and continued) actions, such as protests, lawsuits, lobbying, petitions, and strikes.A person who engages in activism can be called an activist. The word activist implies that such actions are taken consistently—that the activist is consistently active in their activism. For example, protesting is a form of activism, but someone who attends one protest probably wouldn’t be called an activist (unless they continue to take such actions).Like activist, the word activism is often preceded by a word referring to the kind of cause involved, as in political activism or environmental activism. Example: The only way to achieve change is to engage in continued activism—we can’t sit on the sidelines if we want to see results.
Other Word Forms
- activist noun
Etymology
Origin of activism
From the German word Aktivismus, dating back to 1905–10. See active, -ism
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.
Student activism in Iran has traditionally been split broadly between three camps representing left-leaning progressives, monarchists and regime loyalists.
He garnered national attention for his activism against the immigration raids that affected students last summer.
From Los Angeles Times
There’s a tradition, actually, in the UAW in particular when it comes to this kind of activism, back in the old days with the Vietnam War.
From Salon
O’Brien also noted the hole left by Reiner’s death when it came to celebrity political activism, saying “to have that voice go quiet in an instant is still hard for me to comprehend.”
From Salon
Bono, 65, is well-known for his activism to eradicate poverty and fight AIDS, and has been outspoken against wars in Ukraine, Sudan and Gaza in recent years.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
