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 Web
Lauren Collins,
New Yorker,
3 July 2026
Soon after Kushner announced his project, environmental activists began objecting to its potential ecological implications.
—
Max Grinstein,
The Washington Examiner,
3 July 2026
Anna Alejo,
CBS News,
1 July 2026
After embedding himself in New York City’s rowdy activist scene, Illapa Sairitupac is running in November for the Assembly’s 65th District, which covers Chinatown, Lower Manhattan, and other major areas.
—
Hudson Crozier,
The Washington Examiner,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for activist
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Noun
In recent years, thanks to the work of scholars, artists, and local activists, public awareness of the violence of 1898 has increased.
—
Lauren Collins,
New Yorker,
3 July 2026
Soon after Kushner announced his project, environmental activists began objecting to its potential ecological implications.
—
Max Grinstein,
The Washington Examiner,
3 July 2026
Adjective
That is why the left and their activist proxies on the judiciary are resisting it so vigorously.
—
Anna Alejo,
CBS News,
1 July 2026
After embedding himself in New York City’s rowdy activist scene, Illapa Sairitupac is running in November for the Assembly’s 65th District, which covers Chinatown, Lower Manhattan, and other major areas.
—
Hudson Crozier,
The Washington Examiner,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for activist
Cite this Entry
“Activist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/activist. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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