noun
activist
Someone who works to bring about social or political change.
The housing activist organizes neighbors to demand safer apartments.
Etymology
Active supplies the idea of taking action, and -ist identifies someone engaged in it. An activist pursues a cause through practical effort aimed at changing social or political conditions.
More examples
- Student activists petitioned the university to change its policy.
- An environmental activist speaks at the town meeting.
- She became an activist after her neighborhood lost its clinic.
Forms
activist · activists
activism noun — Organized effort to bring about social change.
Similar words
- advocate
- May argue for a cause without organizing direct action.
- campaigner
- Emphasizes sustained work toward a particular goal.