Word
activist
Phoneticsac·tivist
US/ˈæktəvəst/
UK/ˈæktɪvˌɪst/
Definitions
01political/social campaigner
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. someone who takes action to help make a change in society or politics.
n. an individual who campaigns to bring about political or social change, often through public protest or organized advocacy.
“The environmental activist organized a protest to protect the local forest from builders.”
“Human rights activists have spent decades lobbying the government to reform the legal system and ensure fair treatment for all citizens.”
Synonyms
02taking direct action
C1 · Advanced Academic
adj. describing a person or group that takes strong action to reach a goal.
adj. characterised by or involving direct action or vigorous campaigning for a cause.
“The group took an activist approach to solving the city's housing problem.”
“The court's activist stance on environmental protection has led to several landmark rulings that challenge existing industrial regulations.”
03active professional
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Formal
n. someone who is very active and energetic in their job or profession.
n. a person who is conspicuously active or energetic in the performance of their professional or occupational duties.
“As a judicial activist, the judge worked tirelessly to update old legal rules.”
“The new CEO was a corporate activist who immediately began restructuring the company's underperforming departments.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “activist” in context.
Verb
01. detain an activist
“Authorities decided to detain the activist following the unauthorized protest.”
verb + noun
02. silence an activist
“The government attempted to silence the activist by restricting his access to social media.”
verb + noun
Adjective
03. grassroots activist
“The movement was driven by grassroots activists working at the local level.”
adj + noun
04. lifelong activist
“As a lifelong activist, she has spent over forty years fighting for labor rights.”
adj + noun
05. prominent activist
“Several prominent activists were invited to speak at the international climate summit.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. activist group
“The activist group organized a boycott of the company's products.”
noun + noun
07. rights activist
“The human rights activist campaigned tirelessly for the release of political prisoners.”
noun + noun
In Japanese
activist
Japanese from JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0. All sources.
Real-World Examples
“Aida Corovic, a human rights activist, has stood by the students since the beginning of their protests.” “An agent described activists discussing recruitment and “de-escalation” at protests, with speakers suggesting having a “police liaison” and “safety marshal” at events.” “Wildlife activists have also raised questions about how the animals originally entered India.” “Her government was accused of misusing state institutions to entrench its hold on power and stamp out dissent, including through the killing of opposition activists.” Etymology
From active + -ist.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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