militant

adjective

mil·i·tant ˈmi-lə-tənt

Synonyms of militant

: engaged in warfare or combat : fighting

: aggressively active (as in a cause) : combative

militant conservationists

a militant attitude

militant noun

militantly adverb

militantness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for militant

aggressive, militant, assertive, self-assertive mean obtrusively energetic especially in pursuing particular goals.

aggressive implies a disposition to dominate often in disregard of others' rights or in determined and energetic pursuit of one's ends.

aggressive in his business dealings

militant also implies a fighting disposition but suggests not self-seeking but devotion to a cause, movement, or principle.

militant protesters rallied against the new law

assertive suggests bold self-confidence in expression of opinion.

the more assertive speakers dominated the forum

self-assertive connotes forwardness or brash self-confidence.

a self-assertive young upstart

Examples of militant in a Sentence

an angry and militant speech political radicals with a militant unwillingness to compromise on any issue

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Abductions are common in Nigeria, where militant groups target schoolchildren and other civilians to put pressure on the government and extract ransoms. — Dyepkazah Shibayan, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 The strikes came after Israel blamed the militant Hezbollah group for firing two explosive drones. — ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026 Others are being drawn — sometimes forcibly — into Myanmar's civil war or toward Rohingya militant groups and criminal gangs, which rights advocates say operate with impunity. — Lorcan Lovett, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026 The Altalena had set sail from France loaded with weapons packed for the Irgun, the militant Zionist force that conducted attacks against the British colonial authorities and the local Palestinian population in the quest to establish Israel. — CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for militant

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of militant was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Browse Nearby Words

militancy

militant

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Militant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/militant. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

militant

adjective

mil·i·tant ˈmil-ə-tənt

: being at war

: aggressively active especially in a cause

militant protesters

militant noun

militantly adverb

militantness noun

militant

adjective

Synonyms of militant

Examples of militant in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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