direct action

noun

: action that seeks to achieve an end directly and by the most immediately effective means (such as a boycott or strike)

Examples of direct action in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In contrast to his predecessor’s grandiose plans to host marquee events like Formula 1 racing or the Olympics, Prabowo prioritizes direct action that immediately improves lives. —Charlie Campbell / Jakarta, TIME, 14 Oct. 2024

The education gap The Unboxing Menopause campaign is a direct action opportunity for women to voice their concerns to the FDA, calling for more accurate labeling of estrogen products. —Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 3 Oct. 2024

Employees and leaders alike should take direct action to help ease these pressures. —Dena Trujillo, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024

In this worldview, art about the climate crisis is at best irrelevant, and, at worst, counterproductive to the direct action necessary to stop it. —Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

direct action

noun

1

: an action in which the plaintiff sues a person's insurer without first obtaining a judgment against the insured or joining the insured

2

: a suit by a shareholder for an injury to himself or herself independent from any injury to the corporation

called also individual action

compare derivative action