activism

noun

ac·​tiv·​ism ˈak-ti-ˌvi-zəm How to pronounce activism (audio)
: a doctrine or practice that emphasizes direct vigorous action especially in support of or opposition to one side of a controversial issue
political activism
environmental activism

Examples of activism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Ambedkar was also from Maharashtra, where there's a long tradition of Dalit activism. Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 15 Dec. 2024 New data at shows that even during this year of ... Post Buy Copies After a year of anti-diversity activism, the final months of 2024 have raised new questions about the future of corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Joelle Emerson, Harvard Business Review, 13 Dec. 2024 Democrats across the nation are spearheading a wave of grassroots activism, legal actions, and legislative initiatives to safeguard immigrant communities. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024 Reveal Digital Collections The Campus Underground Press The 1960s and 70s were a time of activism in the U.S., and therefore a fertile time for campus newspapers and the alternative press. JSTOR Daily, 13 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for activism 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Aktivismus, from aktiv active entry 1 + -ismus -ism

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of activism was in 1915

Dictionary Entries Near activism

Cite this Entry

“Activism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/activism. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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