Meaning & use
activist
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
A person who campaigns publicly and persistently for political or social change.
Grammar: Regular plural activists; can be followed by for or against: an activist for housing rights.
Patterns
- human rights activist
- climate activist
- activist for reform
The climate activist spoke at the town council meeting.
Activists for voting reform registered new residents before the election.
adjectivebefore a nounbusinesslaw
Taking forceful action to achieve change, or characterized by such a role.
Grammar: Used before nouns like investor, judge, or group: an activist investor; not gradable in this sense.
Patterns
- activist investor
- activist judge
- activist campaign
An activist investor pressured the company to replace directors.
The article examined whether judges should be described as activist.
Word forms
| plural | activists |
|---|
Common combinations
- human rights activist
- A human rights activist documented conditions at the shelter.
- climate activist
- The climate activist urged faster transit investment.
- activist investor
- An activist investor bought shares and demanded changes.
Synonyms and how they differ
- campaigner
- Campaigner is neutral and common; activist can imply stronger confrontation or commitment.
- advocate
- An advocate speaks in favor; an activist typically organizes action beyond speech.
- protester
- A protester joins demonstrations; an activist may work on many long-term tactics.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: activist or actuary? activist or actor?
activist vs actuary
An actuary works with risk statistics; an activist campaigns for change.
activist vs actor
An actor performs; an activist organizes for a cause.
Practice
Who is best described as an activist?
Choose one answer.
An activist campaigns for change through action. Reading or acting alone is not campaigning, and a statue cannot act.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “activist”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.