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

Before entering politics, Lawrence co-founded the left-wing climate activism group Sunrise Movement. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 14 July 2026

The property at 39350 Coast Road in rugged Big Sur was once owned by Lawrence Ferlinghetti — the poet, painter and City Lights Bookstore founder whose work and activism helped define San Francisco’s Beat-era culture. — David Caraccio updated July 13, Sacbee.com, 13 July 2026

Angermayer’s manifesto had credited transgender activism with inspiring Enhanced. — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 13 July 2026

And that means, in the United States at least, a lot of political activism. — Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2026

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
• sophism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism