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

Participants include those working across sound, music, performance, choreography, club culture, archival research, moving image, installation, sculpture, painting, drawing, and social activism. — News Desk, Artforum, 8 July 2026

With shareholder activism, litigation risks, mandatory disclosures, fragmented media and political polarization, a CEO’s reputation becomes the most valuable asset of the board. — Jon Michail, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Sikh diaspora activism has been a source of tension between India and Canada for years. — ABC News, 7 July 2026

The gondola plan was Chastain’s 11th Kansas City petition in two decades of transit activism. — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 7 July 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