environmentalist
noun
en·vi·ron·men·tal·ist
in-ˌvī-rə(n)-ˈmen-tə-ləst 
-ˌvī(-ə)r(n)-
plural environmentalists
: an advocate of environmentalism : a person who is focused on the preservation, restoration, and improvement of the natural environment
While dams have been touted in the name of water conservation and clean, renewable energy, environmentalists have long challenged the claim that dams are "green" technology. The deleterious ecological impacts of dams, they insist, have been profound.—
Patrick Joseph
Patrick JosephMeanwhile, environmentalists have responded that climate change and habitat loss due to development should require builders to think even more carefully about their projects.—Emma Cotton et al.
Emma Cotton et al.Examples of environmentalist in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Singer, actress, philanthropist, environmentalist, gay rights activist and fervent animal lover.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 15 May 2026
But, but, but … Steyer seems to be the most committed environmentalist of the bunch, despite, as his opponents repeatedly point out, having made part of his fortune investing in fossil fuel and coal companies and private prisons.
—Robin Abcarian, Mercury News, 14 May 2026
The incumbent is a massive Democrat donor, another candidate is an environmentalist, one ran as the 2024 Libertarian candidate against the Republican nominee, and the other was the 2024 Democrat candidate against the Republican nominee.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
The slaying brought back stark memories of the global outcry over the 2016 murder of Honduran environmentalist Berta Cáceres.
—Marlon González, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
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Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 15 May 2026
But, but, but … Steyer seems to be the most committed environmentalist of the bunch, despite, as his opponents repeatedly point out, having made part of his fortune investing in fossil fuel and coal companies and private prisons.
—Robin Abcarian, Mercury News, 14 May 2026
The incumbent is a massive Democrat donor, another candidate is an environmentalist, one ran as the 2024 Libertarian candidate against the Republican nominee, and the other was the 2024 Democrat candidate against the Republican nominee.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
The slaying brought back stark memories of the global outcry over the 2016 murder of Honduran environmentalist Berta Cáceres.
—Marlon González, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for environmentalist
Cite this Entry
“Environmentalist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/environmentalist. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
environmentalist
noun
en·vi·ron·men·tal·ist
-ˌvī-rən-ˈment-ᵊl-əst
-ˌvī(-ə)rn-
: a person concerned about environmental quality and especially with controlling pollution
Medical Definition
environmentalist
noun
en·vi·ron·men·tal·ist
-ᵊl-əst
1
: an advocate of environmentalism
2
: one concerned about environmental quality especially of the human environment with respect to the control of pollution
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