activist
Americannoun
adjective
-
of or relating to activism or activists.
an activist organization for environmental concern.
-
advocating or opposing a cause or issue vigorously, especially a political cause.
Activist opponents of the president picketed the White House.
Usage
What does activist mean? An activist is a person who engages in activism—the practice of taking direct action to achieve political or social goals.An activist may support a particular cause (or range of causes) or oppose it.In any case, an activist tries to achieve such goals through direct (and continued) actions, such as protests, lawsuits, lobbying, petitions, and strikes.The word activist implies that the person takes such actions consistently—that they are consistently active in these pursuits. 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).The word activist is often preceded by a word referring to the kind of cause the activist is involved in, as in political activist or animal rights activist. It can also be used as an adjective to describe such people or their activities, as in activist lawyer or activist organization. Example: The prominent activist is known for organizing this summer’s mass protests.
Other Word Forms
- nonactivist adjective
Etymology
Origin of 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.
Some users and rights activists have welcomed the move, arguing that big tech companies should not exploit large developing markets solely for profit.
From BBC
Few activists or analysts say there is a clear path for them to do so.
Veteran attorney and education activist Virgil Roberts questioned the board’s action unless members have information that has not been made public — which, he added, seems unlikely given the secrecy of the federal investigation.
From Los Angeles Times
Amid pressure from activist investors, Southwest announced sweeping changes a couple of years ago, including the end of its hallmark policies of open seating and no fees for checked baggage.
From MarketWatch
By my 30s, I was comfortably situated in yet another trusted cohort, supporting my activist friends on things we all cared about: reproductive rights, wrongful convictions, freedom for Palestine.
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.
