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

The measure was spurred by the activism of a Texas high schooler, Elliston Berry. —Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 22 May 2026

González had a long Zoom meeting with Riley, during which the director, famous for his determined activism, lobbed questions about her stance on political and social issues. —Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2026

The filing portrays the attack as part of a broader campaign by the Cuban government to intimidate the exile community and suppress pro-democracy activism. —Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026

But whatever one thinks of Massie’s anti-Israel activism and anti-Jewish insinuations, neither was the reason he was excised. —Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 20 May 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