activism

activism — noun

1. public efforts to push for change in society or government by taking visible act

1.nounC1
Definition

public efforts to push for change in society or government by taking visible action.

Example

Student activism on campus grew after the library cut weekend hours.

activism on campus about a local issue

Mina's climate activism began when floods damaged her grandparents' farm.

modifier: climate activism

Common collocations
  • climate activism
  • student activism
  • online activism
  • grassroots activism
  • political activism
Synonyms
  • advocacy

    often broader and calmer; can include speaking or writing for a cause without public protest.

  • campaigning

    stresses a planned effort with a specific goal.

  • protest

    narrower; often one act or event showing opposition.

Antonyms
  • passivity

    lack of action or willingness to get involved.

  • apathy

    lack of interest or concern about public issues.

Grammar Patterns

activism on [issue]

[adjective] activism

engage in activism

Usage Note

Usually modified by the cause or setting, as in 'climate activism', 'student activism', or 'online activism'. Often describes continuing public action over time, not just one single event.

Common Mistakes

The group shared many activisms online.
The group did a lot of activism online.
'activism' is usually uncountable, so it is not normally used in the plural.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Activism', 'advocacy', 'campaigning', and 'protest' can all appear around public causes, but they point to different kinds of action. 'Activism' is the broadest here: it suggests people are trying to bring change through visible, deliberate action over time. 'Advocacy' is often calmer and can include writing, advising, or speaking for a group without street action. 'Campaigning' usually means a planned effort with a clear goal, such as changing a law or winning support for one decision. 'Protest' is narrower and often names one act of opposition, such as a march or sit-in. If parents speak to the council every week and organize online, that is activism; if they join one march, that is a protest.

activism ↗advocacy ↗campaigning ↗protest ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • activism group
  • activism movement

Phrases

  • engage in activism
  • turn to activism

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Formed in English from 'activist' and the suffix '-ism'. The older base 'active' came through French from Latin 'activus', linked to a verb meaning 'to do' or 'set in motion'. Because of that history, 'activism' still carries the idea of taking action instead of staying passive.