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

With passion, the filmmakers expose the lasting imprints of colonialism while celebrating activism and the fight of two female friends for truly accessible public spaces; places where people can engage with their own narratives and histories. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2025

For Amazon, the data suggests strong resilience to consumer activism, at least in its current form. —Kiri Masters, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025

The trouble for Trump is that Columbia, despite its history of student activism, does not really fit the right-wing image of a revolutionary institution bent on D.E.I. indoctrination. —Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025

Maclean’s, Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, Policy Magazine, Government of Canada, World Food Program USA More than 75% of U.K. universities pledged to eliminate fossil fuels from investment portfolios The pledges come after years of activism by students and staff. —Troy Aidan Sambajon, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Mar. 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