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 The brief flowering of activism in the fall of 2022 was driven by broader discontents than anti-zero-COVID sentiment. Christina Knight, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2024 Other people feel a calling for that kind of activism and would surely be better at it. Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024 A lot of that hashtag activism came at the request of TikTok itself, which sent messages to users imploring them to call their representatives. Angela Watercutter, WIRED, 15 Mar. 2024 This will mean that, as in the case of ESG, the demands of climate activism will trump the shareholder primacy that has served the U.S. so well. The Editors, National Review, 11 Mar. 2024 Stars have been wearing the red enamel lapel pin since the Feb. 4 Grammy awards, where Annie Lennox and Phoebe Bridgers were among those who seen wearing the symbol of activism. Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2024 In the post–Time’s Up era, much of Hollywood women’s activism occurs via quiet, unofficial circles of power that are founded on personal relationships. Ellie Austin, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2024 While attending an all-girls high school in Albany, N.Y., Rio-Glick was awakened to the world of activism. Isabella Cueto, STAT, 8 Mar. 2024 O’Kane’s work — and this book — are primers in the arts of observation and environmental activism. Heller McAlpin, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'activism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 29 Mar. 2024.

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