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
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
Nathan Glazer
: 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
Richard LacayoPressing 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
Julie JargonThey plan to become activist shareholders who will protest global-warming resolutions and anything else that undermines corporate profitability.—John J. Miller
John J. MillerExamples of activist in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebTracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2024
The food activist, who's in his 70s, already has shelves full of prestigious awards honoring his efforts to preserve the seeds of endangered crop varieties around the globe.
—Dan Charles, NPR, 18 Apr. 2024
As a result of the joint efforts between local developers, activists, and Black residents, Halyard Park was able to gain some of its previous Black middle-class residents back, some of whom have owned and stayed at their houses through today.
—Eva Wen, Journal Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2024
As the world’s climate goals slip further from reach, activists, regulators and companies are scrambling for fixes, warning that keeping warming in check may hinge on their success.
—Evan Halper, Washington Post, 17 Apr. 2024
Disciple traces Van Zandt’s career as a musician, activist and actor from the clubs of Asbury Park, NJ, to stadiums around the world, to the Bada Bing Club.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 17 Apr. 2024
Complicating the picture, the harassment comes not only from the Iranian state but also from Iranian opposition groups, political activists and members of the Iranian diaspora, Ms. O’Brien said.
—Megan Specia, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2024
The American Federation of Teachers has gone from representing educators to training activists.
—Maddie Dermon, National Review, 17 Apr. 2024
And Neal said a number of other state legislators back him as well, along with activists such as Rhonda Mathis and Mattie Jones.
—The Courier-Journal, 17 Apr. 2024
Detroit Free Press, 18 Apr. 2024
If anything, the board doubled down on backing Mr. Musk, Tesla’s chief executive, risking riling up activist investors and more litigation.
—Jack Ewing, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2024
In 2014, activist investors— including Carl Icahn and Nelson Peltz — pushed Family Dollar to sell itself.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2024
Former Attorney General Curtis Hill, catering to an activist base, and Indianapolis mom Jamie Reitenour, catering to evangelicals, are struggling in polling and fundraising.
—The Indianapolis Star, 11 Apr. 2024
Shareholder meetings: Dimon had strong words for activist investors who use shareholder meetings to engage in a campaign to influence corporate actions.
—Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
And investors should take heed from my colleague Geoff Colvin, who notes that following an activist investor into a stock is a tricky strategy.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2024
Bob Iger can go back to work overhauling Disney now that activist investor Nelson Peltz has been dispatched, and the veteran CEO for one believes that’s a good thing for shareholders.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024
His comments came a day after Disney prevailed in a proxy fight over activist investors including Trian Partners’ Nelson Peltz, who lost his bid to get a pair of seats on the company’s board.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 5 Apr. 2024
Noun
Even if formation of a Palestinian state is practically impossible right now, granting U.N. membership would be a useful re-upping of the issue, said Mustafa Barghouti, a prominent Palestinian politician and activist.
—Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2024
The food activist, who's in his 70s, already has shelves full of prestigious awards honoring his efforts to preserve the seeds of endangered crop varieties around the globe.
—Dan Charles, NPR, 18 Apr. 2024
As a result of the joint efforts between local developers, activists, and Black residents, Halyard Park was able to gain some of its previous Black middle-class residents back, some of whom have owned and stayed at their houses through today.
—Eva Wen, Journal Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2024
As the world’s climate goals slip further from reach, activists, regulators and companies are scrambling for fixes, warning that keeping warming in check may hinge on their success.
—Evan Halper, Washington Post, 17 Apr. 2024
Disciple traces Van Zandt’s career as a musician, activist and actor from the clubs of Asbury Park, NJ, to stadiums around the world, to the Bada Bing Club.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 17 Apr. 2024
Complicating the picture, the harassment comes not only from the Iranian state but also from Iranian opposition groups, political activists and members of the Iranian diaspora, Ms. O’Brien said.
—Megan Specia, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2024
The American Federation of Teachers has gone from representing educators to training activists.
—Maddie Dermon, National Review, 17 Apr. 2024
And Neal said a number of other state legislators back him as well, along with activists such as Rhonda Mathis and Mattie Jones.
—The Courier-Journal, 17 Apr. 2024
Adjective
Six activist groups received federal grants to research ways to prevent crime and curb gun violence.
—Detroit Free Press, 18 Apr. 2024
If anything, the board doubled down on backing Mr. Musk, Tesla’s chief executive, risking riling up activist investors and more litigation.
—Jack Ewing, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2024
In 2014, activist investors— including Carl Icahn and Nelson Peltz — pushed Family Dollar to sell itself.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2024
Former Attorney General Curtis Hill, catering to an activist base, and Indianapolis mom Jamie Reitenour, catering to evangelicals, are struggling in polling and fundraising.
—The Indianapolis Star, 11 Apr. 2024
Shareholder meetings: Dimon had strong words for activist investors who use shareholder meetings to engage in a campaign to influence corporate actions.
—Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
And investors should take heed from my colleague Geoff Colvin, who notes that following an activist investor into a stock is a tricky strategy.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2024
Bob Iger can go back to work overhauling Disney now that activist investor Nelson Peltz has been dispatched, and the veteran CEO for one believes that’s a good thing for shareholders.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024
His comments came a day after Disney prevailed in a proxy fight over activist investors including Trian Partners’ Nelson Peltz, who lost his bid to get a pair of seats on the company’s board.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 5 Apr. 2024
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.
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Cite this Entry
“Activist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/activist. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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