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campaigner

campaigner

27 3.7
A person who works to bring political or social change, including someone running for office
  • noun
  • /kæmˈpeɪnər/
translation icon : activista
  • We need to build bridges between economic reformers and anti-poverty campaigners, not burn them.
  • anti-poverty campaigners
  • an effective campaigner
  • human rights campaigners

The third is that smear campaigns and smear campaigners are obsessive.

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Examples

  • As a passionate campaigner for climate change, she organized rallies to raise awareness in her community.

  • You know, he had been a tremendous campaigner for a change in poetry.

  • But the skills of a good campaigner do not necessarily translate into the skills necessary for good governance.

    Academic text (1997)
  • Morris is still an active campaigner on disability issues and regularly questions government policy in the House of Lords.

    Academic text (2010)
  • Driven by his Christian faith, this former social worker and academic is still a tireless campaigner on poverty and social justice.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Many of these consultants offered their services at reduced rates and became enthusiastic Earth Day campaigners.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Afua Hirsch used to be an IT girl before she became an aggrieved campaigner for social justice.

  • I'm a seasoned campaigner.

  • The local campaigner worked tirelessly to mobilize voters ahead of the upcoming election.

  • Many campaigners gathered in the city square to demand social reform and justice for all.

Synonyms

activist
vscampaigner
542 2.5

A person who campaigns for political or social change

also includes people running for election rather than only group members
crusader
vscampaigner
32 5.6

A person who campaigns strongly for social or political change

is broader and includes ordinary campaign work and election candidates
canvasser
vscampaigner
2 6.8

A person who goes door to door asking for votes, money or support

has a wider role beyond door-to-door election solicitation
drumbeater
vscampaigner
8.3

A person who strongly supports a cause and tries to persuade others

is more neutral and can include steady campaign work without aggression

Compounds

A person who works to make birth control and planning for children more accepted

How Active

organizer
  • US
149 2.8
campaigner
27 3.7
volunteer
7 3.5
supporter
817 1.0

Surface Forms

campaigner singular
campaigners plural

Morphology

campaigner = campaign (transparent) = campaign + er

The noun is directly formed from the verb 'campaign' plus the agentive suffix '-er', so the meaning is straightforward.

Etymology

The word campaigner comes from campaign, which originally meant a military action in the 'field' and is related to the familiar word camp. So a campaigner is someone who works in a long, planned effort to get votes or to change things, like 'fighting' for a cause.