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

Mohammadi still kept up her activism with public protests and international media appearances, including even demonstrating at one point in front of Tehran’s notorious Evin prison, where she had been held. —CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026

Now, people expressing support for Palestine Action or participating in its activism can be charged with terrorism. —Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2026

Mohammadi kept up her activism with public protests and international media appearances, including even demonstrating in front of Tehran’s notorious Evin prison, where she had been held. —Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026

Ken Squire is the founder and president of 13D Monitor, an institutional research service on shareholder activism, and the founder and portfolio manager of the 13D Activist Fund, a mutual fund that invests in a portfolio of activist investments. —Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 7 Feb. 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