crusader
Other forms: crusaders
A crusader is a person who works hard or campaigns forcefully for a cause. Most crusaders advocate dramatic social or political change.
You can call a fierce champion for a cancer cure a crusader, and another kind of crusader could be an activist who works for school reform. Crusaders tend to be radical or at least progressive, embracing some kind of change. Crusader comes from crusade, which meant "campaign against a public evil" in the 18th century, but which earlier referred mainly to the religious-based military Crusades of the Middle Ages.
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a person or group who pushes to improve an institution or system by changing itsynonyms: meliorist, reformer, reformist, social reformerexamples:Anthony ComstockUnited States reformer who led moral crusades against art and literature that he considered obscene (1844-1915)Dorothea Lynde DixUnited States social reformer who pioneered in the reform of prisons and in the treatment of the mentally ill; superintended women army nurses during the American Civil War (1802-1887)John HussCzechoslovakian religious reformer who anticipated the Reformation; he questioned the infallibility of the Catholic Church was excommunicated (1409) for attacking the corruption of the clergy; he was burned at the stake (1372-1415)Robert OwenWelsh industrialist and social reformer who founded cooperative communities (1771-1858)Girolamo SavonarolaItalian religious and political reformer; a Dominican friar in Florence who preached against sin and corruption and gained a large following; he expelled the Medici from Florence but was later excommunicated and executed for criticizing the Pope (1452-1498)Francis Everett TownsendUnited States social reformer who proposed an old-age pension sponsored by the federal government; his plan was a precursor to Social Security (1867-1960)John WilkesEnglish reformer who published attacks on George III and supported the rights of the American colonists (1727-1797)types:birth-control campaigner, birth-control reformera social reformer who advocates birth control and family planningChartista 19th century English reformer who advocated better social and economic conditions for working peoplecivil rights activist, civil rights leader, civil rights workera leader of the political movement dedicated to securing equal opportunity for members of minority groupsconservationist, environmentalistsomeone who works to protect the environment from destruction or pollutionflower child, hippie, hippy, hipstersomeone who rejects the established culture; advocates extreme liberalism in politics and lifestylefreedom fighter, insurgent, insurrectionist, rebela person who takes part in an armed rebellion against the constituted authority (especially in the hope of improving conditions)preservationistsomeone who advocates the preservation of historical sites or endangered species or natural areasUtopianan idealistic (but usually impractical) social reformerBlack Musliman activist member of a largely American group of Blacks called the Nation of IslamBlack Panthera member of the Black Panthers political partycounterdemonstratorsomeone who demonstrates in opposition to another demonstrationGreenan environmentalist who belongs to the Green Partyfreedom riderone of an interracial group of civil rights activists who rode buses through parts of the South in order to protest racial segregationmutineersomeone who is openly rebellious and refuses to obey authorities (especially seamen or soldiers)picketa protester posted by a labor organization outside a place of worksuffragettea woman advocate of women's right to vote (especially a militant advocate in the United Kingdom at the beginning of the 20th century)tree huggerderogatory term for environmentalists who support restrictions on the logging industry and the preservation of forestsYoung Turka member of one or more of the insurgent groups in Turkey in the late 19th century who rebelled against the absolutism of Ottoman ruletype of:
- MLA
- APA
- Chicago
Vocabulary lists containing crusader
John Coogan, better known as Crash, is a bully — but new experiences and unexpected friendships challenge Crash to reevaluate the ways he interacts with others.
Brilliant Matilda Wormwood finds clever ways to get the best of her ignorant parents and the cruel headmistress of her school.
In 14th-century England, a knight-in-training named Robin suffers an injury to his legs — but learns that there are many ways to be a hero.