activism

noun

ac·​tiv·​ism ˈak-ti-ˌvi-zəm 

: 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

In the past month, the Trump administration stripped about 5,000 foreign students of their legal status in the U.S. as part of a crackdown on those involved in campus protests and pro-Palestinian activism, putting them at risk of deportation. —Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025

His arrest and subsequent transfer to a detention facility near Dallas sparked campus protests and drew national attention amid broader crackdowns on student activism over the Israel-Gaza war. —Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 14 May 2025

This builds on the $50,000 contribution from the Steve Madden Foundation in 2024 and extends Johnson’s commitment to fashion as a vehicle for philanthropy and activism. —Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 13 May 2025

Elliott has historically focused on strategic activism in the technology sector and has been very successful with that strategy. —Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 10 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for activism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism
• americanism