activism

play

noun ac·tiv·ism \ˈak-ti-ˌvi-zəm\

Definition of activism

: 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

activist

play \-vist\ noun or adjective

activistic

play \ˌak-ti-ˈvis-tik\ adjective

Recent Examples of activism from the Web

Their protests draw on a tradition of left-wing activism in Germany’s second-largest city and the birthplace of its chancellor, Angela Merkel …

— james hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: Principled conservatives show federalism is more than a talking point by rejecting voter data requests", 6 July 2017
Kids can read about the courage and activism of young women like Malala Yousafzai and mathematical geniuses like Hypatia.

— South Florida Parenting, "Summer reading: Books to keep kids learning", 3 July 2017
The Medical Committee for Human Rights inherited that mantle of health-care and civil-rights activism and organizing in the 60s.

— vann r. newkirk ii, The Atlantic, "The Fight for Health Care Has Always Been About Civil Rights", 27 June 2017
But the real inauguration this year was the Americans who took their first steps toward activism.

— elizabeth siegel, Allure, "We Asked 30 Celebrities and Beauty Pros to Define American Beauty", 21 June 2017
Krochmal said that Fort Worth now has a greater percentage of minority residents than white residents and that joint activism is the way to enact a more progressive agenda.

— mitch mitchell and diane smith, star-telegram.com, "Immigrant allies to Fort Worth city leaders: ‘You should care about SB 4’", 20 June 2017
Today, Sawyer is committed to changing the way allies approach trans issues and activism on the whole.

— john paul brammer, NBC News, "#Pride30: LGBTQ Advocate Kyle Sawyer Is Building Transgender Allies", 20 June 2017
Matthews founded the Outcast Voters League in 1999 to engage in political activism and education.

— erin edgemon, AL.com, "Community activist Frank Matthews announces run for Birmingham mayor", 19 June 2017
Democrats sought to capitalize on a wave of activism triggered by Trump's election in an attempt to take it back for the first time since 1997.

— matt volz, chicagotribune.com, "Gianforte to plead guilty to assaulting reporter before his election to Congress", 9 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'activism'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.