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noun Common

activist

AK-tih-vihst
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Activist (noun) means a person who campaigns energetically for social or political change. Example: “A young activist spoke at the town meeting about cleaning up the river.”

noun
1
A person who campaigns energetically for social or political change.
"A young activist spoke at the town meeting about cleaning up the river."
"Many an activist has spent years collecting signatures for a cause they believe in."
"The activist organized protests against the new policy for months."

How to use activist

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone who actively campaigns for a cause, rather than just supporting it quietly.

Common pairings
human rights activist climate activist political activist
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Word forms

Plural
activists
Comparative
more activist
Superlative
most activist
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A young _____ spoke at the town meeting about cleaning up the river.

Etymology

From active plus the suffix -ist.

Related words

Rhymes for activist

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Frequently asked questions

What does “activist” mean?
The word “activist” means a person who campaigns energetically for social or political change. In plain terms, someone who actively campaigns for a cause, rather than just supporting it quietly.
How do you pronounce “activist”?
“Activist” is pronounced AK-tih-vihst (/ˈæk.tɪ.vɪst/ in IPA).
How do you use “activist” in a sentence?
Here is “activist” used in a sentence: “The activist organized protests against the new policy for months.”
What is another word for “activist”?
Words with a similar meaning to “activist” include mover and shaker.
What part of speech is “activist”?
“Activist” is a noun.
Is “activist” a common word?
“Activist” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between an activist and an advocate?
An advocate supports or argues for a cause, often through persuasion and working within existing systems. An activist campaigns energetically for change, frequently through organized and direct action such as protests or campaigns.
What is the difference between an activist and a protester?
A protester takes part in a specific demonstration, which may be a one-time event. An activist is more consistently committed, working over the long term to push for social or political change through many kinds of action.
What is the difference between an activist and an activator?
An "activist" is a person who campaigns energetically for social or political change. An "activator" is a thing, often a substance or device, that triggers or sets off a reaction, so the two words are unrelated despite looking similar.
What words commonly come before activist?
"Activist" is often preceded by the cause someone champions, as in "political activist," "climate activist," "human rights activist," or "social activist." These pairings describe the focus of the person's campaigning.

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