activist

1 of 2

noun

ac·​tiv·​ist ˈak-ti-vist 

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

ˌak-ti-ˈvi-stik 

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

Ahead of the July 2024 presidential election, activists built a vast volunteer network to protect the vote — using QR-scanning apps, clandestine Starlink antennas hidden in fruit trucks and training sessions in church basements. —Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 10 Dec. 2025

For the activists left and people who sit on the more progressive side, there are a number of issues besides just affordability. —Dana Taylor, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025

Adjective

But Super’s saga is a reminder that women CEOs remain much likelier than their male counterparts to be targeted by activist investors. —Phil Wahba, Fortune, 10 Dec. 2025

Meanwhile, activist groups like Cycling X Solidarity lead rides to purchase tamale vendors' remaining stock, with the intent to get them safely back home and off the street, where ICE may target them. —Jessi Roti, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1920, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1917, in the meaning defined above

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