direct action

noun

1. any action seeking to achieve an immediate or direct result, especially an action against an established authority or powerful institution, as a strike or picketing.

direct action

noun

1. action such as strikes or civil disobedience, employed by organized labour or other groups to obtain demands from an employer, government, etc

Other Words From

• direct actionist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of direct action¹

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

NFU president Tom Bradshaw said that while farmers felt "betrayed" the union did not condone direct action such as withholding food from supermarkets.

From BBC

“We have taken immediate and strong and direct action against any allegations that we have received,” maintains Sam Rose.

From BBC

In this worldview, art about the climate crisis is at best irrelevant, and, at worst, counterproductive to the direct action necessary to stop it.

From Los Angeles Times

This direct action provides not just a meal but also a comforting touch of community support.

From Salon

A barrister for Hallam said the 58-year-old had since rejected direct action campaigning due to its limitations and changed his approach to more conventional political campaigning.

From BBC