Word: activism (noun)

Associations

Activism means taking action to create change, usually in politics, society, or the environment. It is about actively working to improve or change something people care about.

• Example 1: "She is involved in environmental activism." This means she works to protect nature.
• Example 2: "Activism can include protests, writing letters, or raising awareness." These are ways people show their support for a cause.
• Example 3: "Youth activism has grown with social media." Young people use online tools to promote change.

A well-known synonym is "advocacy." The difference is that advocacy often means supporting a cause by speaking or writing for it, while activism usually involves more direct action, like protests or campaigns.

Substitution

Instead of "activism," you can say:

• "advocacy" (more about speaking up or supporting)
• "protest" (a specific action within activism)
• "campaigning" (organized efforts to change something)

Each word changes the meaning slightly. "Activism" is broader and includes many types of actions.

Deconstruction

The root word is "active," meaning doing something or taking action. The suffix "-ism" means a practice or belief. So, "activism" means the practice of being active to support or change something.

Inquiry

• What causes or issues are important to you where you might see activism?
• Can you think of examples of activism in your country or community?
• How do you think activism can be effective or not effective?