activism

noun ac·tiv·ism \ ˈak-ti-ˌvi-zəm \

Updated on: 10 Apr 2018

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

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activist

play \ˈak-ti-vist\ noun or adjective

—

activistic

play \ˌak-ti-ˈvis-tik\ adjective

Recent Examples of activism from the Web

Madikizela-Mandela will be remembered for her fierce and important activism.

— lisa ryan, The Cut, "Anti-Apartheid Activist Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Has Died," 2 Apr. 2018
Crabtree said Cleveland cites her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as her reason for activism.

— ellen garrison, anita chabria and ryan lillis, sacbee, "What you should know about the protester hit by a sheriff's SUV at a Stephon Clark march," 1 Apr. 2018
In 2014, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize jointly with Kailash Satyarthi for activism on behalf of children's rights.

— sophia saifi, CNN, "Malala Yousafzai returns to hometown in Pakistan," 31 Mar. 2018
Your zeal for political activism during a time when women were not supposed to even mention politics at the dinner table, inspires me to speak out and be true to my beliefs no matter the circumstance.

— fresh u, Teen Vogue, "Frida Kahlo Is My Hero," 30 Mar. 2018
Jewish activism on the issue, with a small but growing number of exceptions, ranges from hardline pro-Israel positions to a kind of liberal Zionism that criticizes the occupation but still supports the idea of a Jewish state.

— zack beauchamp, Vox, "The UK Labour Party’s anti-Semitism crisis, explained," 29 Mar. 2018
Most likely, the Lima Group’s activism on Venezuela will now shift back to the 34-country Organization of American States.

— miamiherald, "Peru’s new president has his hands full and will have to put Venezuela on the back burner | Miami Herald," 22 Mar. 2018
Streisand also is known for her political activism on behalf of Democratic candidates and issues including gay rights.

— Washington Post, "Barbra Streisand says no #MeToo moment marred her life," 18 Mar. 2018
Streisand also is known for her political activism on behalf of Democratic candidates and issues including gay rights.

— Fox News, "Barbra Streisand has no '#MeToo' story, jokingly says her nose kept predators away," 18 Mar. 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of activism

borrowed from German Aktivismus, from aktiv ¹active + -ismus -ism

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First Known Use: 1915

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activism

Definition of activism

activist

activistic

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Origin and Etymology of activism

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activist

activistic

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