activist

1 of 2

noun

ac·​tiv·​ist ˈak-ti-vist How to pronounce activist (audio)
plural activists
: one who advocates or practices activism : a person who uses or supports strong actions (such as public protests) in support of or opposition to one side of a controversial issue
Antiwar activists were protesting in the streets.
an environmental activist
political activists
The conventional wisdom is that young people no longer care enough to stand up for what is important; that the days of activism and protest have faded into the past, the bailiwick of aging hippies and activists.The Easton (Massachusetts) Journal
activistic adjective
What is news to me … is how much alike were the fears and concerns of both activistic Democrats and skeptical Republicans … Nathan Glazer

activist

2 of 2

adjective

: advocating or practicing activism : using or supporting strong actions in support of or opposition to one side of a controversial issue
For the activist groups that will carry the nomination fight to the public, the name of the game is hit early and often.Richard Lacayo
Pressing demands that are both global and granular, the activist investor has turned himself into one of the food sector's most influential players, affecting how millions of people eat each day.Julie Jargon
They plan to become activist shareholders who will protest global-warming resolutions and anything else that undermines corporate profitability.John J. Miller

Examples of activist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Shelley said her advice for activists today is twofold. Jillian Eugenios, NBC News, 31 Oct. 2024 The term ecofeminism first appeared in an essay by French author and activist Françoise d’Eaubonne’s in her 1974 book Feminism or Death: How the Woman’s Movement Can Save the Planet. Stacie Stukin, ARTnews.com, 31 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Any credible overture must be taken seriously, whether from an activist investor seeking changes in strategy or from a potential acquirer seeking full control. Jeff Jacobs, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 The activist investor accused management of losing a significant amount of value by failing to take advantage of immense gains from Covid products. Julie Coleman, CNBC, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for activist 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'activist.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1920, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1917, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of activist was in 1917

Dictionary Entries Near activist

Cite this Entry

“Activist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/activist. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

activist

noun
ac·​tiv·​ist
ˈak-ti-vəst
: a person who believes in forceful action (as a mass demonstration) for political purposes
activism
-ˌviz-əm
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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