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
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 22 Nov. 2024
Hernández is a veteran of Santa Ana’s activist scene, working on local campaigns and as Orange County co-regional director for Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential run.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2024
Joel Khalili, WIRED, 22 Nov. 2024
Wall Street’s confidence in CVS has soured this year after three straight quarters of full-year guidance cuts, prompting pressure from an activist investor to turn the business around.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for activist 
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Noun
Shares in Disney have experienced volatility this year as the company contended with a proxy battle from numerous activists and grappled with ongoing challenges in many of its businesses.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 22 Nov. 2024
Hernández is a veteran of Santa Ana’s activist scene, working on local campaigns and as Orange County co-regional director for Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential run.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2024
Adjective
In June, a coalition of activist groups wrote to the DOJ and NTIA to express similar allegations.
—Joel Khalili, WIRED, 22 Nov. 2024
Wall Street’s confidence in CVS has soured this year after three straight quarters of full-year guidance cuts, prompting pressure from an activist investor to turn the business around.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for activist
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Cite this Entry
“Activist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/activist. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
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