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
Hydropower now accounts for 13% of China’s electricity consumption, and its relatively clean nature is encouraging to environmentalists.
—Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
Already, environmentalists, climate advocates and others are bracing for what could be a fundamental shift away from trying to address the problem of a hotter climate.
—Jeff Brady, NPR, 24 July 2025
Clean energy companies, environmentalists and trade associations are all now very focused on what can be done on a state level, said Jon Carson, founder and managing partner at Trajectory Energy Partners, a solar development company in Highland Park.
—Nara Schoenberg, Chicago Tribune, 15 July 2025
The air board is hosting four meetings in the coming weeks to hear ideas from industry groups, environmentalists and community members about how the state should now approach clean air regulation.
—Calmatters, Mercury News, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for environmentalist
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
Already, environmentalists, climate advocates and others are bracing for what could be a fundamental shift away from trying to address the problem of a hotter climate.
—Jeff Brady, NPR, 24 July 2025
Clean energy companies, environmentalists and trade associations are all now very focused on what can be done on a state level, said Jon Carson, founder and managing partner at Trajectory Energy Partners, a solar development company in Highland Park.
—Nara Schoenberg, Chicago Tribune, 15 July 2025
The air board is hosting four meetings in the coming weeks to hear ideas from industry groups, environmentalists and community members about how the state should now approach clean air regulation.
—Calmatters, Mercury News, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for environmentalist
Cite this Entry
“Environmentalist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/environmentalist. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share