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

Traditionally, there is a bright line between journalism and activism; choosing to cross that line felt unseemly. —Robert Moor, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026

Many of the artists associated with SAAP, including Paksa, then abandoned art in favor of various forms of activism. —Daniel R. Quiles, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026

Reitman founded the Blue Water Institute in 2020 to encourage broad thinking about how climate change is affecting all of earth’s creatures and eco-storytelling as environmental activism. —Dawn Giangiulio, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026

For example, individuals in the executive branch must limit their political activism while at work under the Hatch Act. —Houston Keene, Boston Herald, 1 Mar. 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
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism
• americanism