activists
Fighters for causes
Activists are people who work energetically to bring about political or social change.
The term implies sustained effort beyond ordinary civic participation—organizing, protesting, lobbying, or raising awareness for a cause: civil rights activists, climate activists, pro-life activists.
The word is neutral, applied across the political spectrum, though activist can carry a dismissive edge when used by opponents: activist judges.
Public display of opinion
- marchRhythmic group walk
- rallyGathering for a cause
- picketingOrganized protest outside workplace
- sit-inProtest by remaining seated
boycott · civil disobedience · strike · occupation · vigil · chanting · placards · banner
Common people as political base
- coalitionTemporary alliance for action
- mobilizeOrganize for action
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
- unionizeForm a labor collective
collective · alliance · network · community · outreach · canvassing · recruitment · chapter
Wholehearted loyalty to purpose
- zealIntense driving devotion
- convictionFirmly held belief
- fervorIntense emotional intensity
- passionIntense emotional drive
devotion · determination · perseverance · sacrifice · tireless · fearless · unwavering · courageous
Of natural surroundings
- climatePrevailing atmospheric conditions
- human rightsInalienable personal freedoms
- social justiceFair distribution of opportunities
- laborStrenuous effort; also childbirth
feminist · anti-war · civil rights · LGBTQ · animal rights · racial justice · indigenous · disability
Entryway or influence-seeking
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- policyAdopted principle of action
- amendmentChange to official text
- reformImprove by correcting faults
petition · influence · lobbying · bills · regulation · parliament · senate · representative
demonstration
Public display of opinion
sit-in · boycott · civil disobedience · strike · occupation · vigil · chanting · placards · banner · megaphone
grassroots
Common people as political base
- coalitionTemporary alliance for action
- mobilizeOrganize for action
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
unionize · collective · alliance · network · community · outreach · canvassing · recruitment · chapter · movement
dedication
Wholehearted loyalty to purpose
- zealIntense driving devotion
- convictionFirmly held belief
- fervorIntense emotional intensity
passion · devotion · determination · perseverance · sacrifice · tireless · fearless · unwavering · courageous · principled
environmental
Of natural surroundings
- climatePrevailing atmospheric conditions
- human rightsInalienable personal freedoms
- social justiceFair distribution of opportunities
labor · feminist · anti-war · civil rights · LGBTQ · animal rights · racial justice · indigenous · disability · reproductive
lobby
Entryway or influence-seeking
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- policyAdopted principle of action
- amendmentChange to official text
reform · petition · influence · lobbying · bills · regulation · parliament · senate · representative · hearing
- Americanspresidents, senators, governors, generals, authors
- notable womenRosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, Eleanor Roosevelt, Florence Nightingale, Susan B. Anthony
- kids biographieslife stories, famous people, historical figures, narrative nonfiction, heroes
- notable figurespolitical leaders, historical figures, dignitary, luminary, presidents
- notablesleaders, celebrities, dignitary, rulers, VIPs
- active peopledoers, movers, athletes, performers, go-getters
activistsbystanders
People present but uninvolved
spectators · armchair critics · slacktivists · fence-sitters · couch potatoes
activistsconservatives
Advocates for gradual change
traditionalists · reactionaries · preservationists · moderates
activistsconformists
Those obeying social norms
loyalists · collaborators · yes-men · company men · apparatchiks
- political activistsPeople organizing for causes
- women's rights activistsAdvocates for gender equality
- civil rights activistsChampions of legal equality
- labor activistsWorkplace rights advocates
- nonviolent activismPeaceful methods seeking change
- peace activistOne opposing warfare publicly