militant

1 of 2

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

militantness

2 of 2

noun

mil·i·tant·ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being militant

Synonyms of militant

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Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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

Adjective 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.

Adjective

But there was very real and concentrated state repression against the more militant aspects and members of these movements. — Maggie McGowan, The New York Review of Books, 5 Sep. 2026 Pakistan has often accused Afghanistan and India of supporting the TTP and other militant groups, allegations both countries deny. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026 Israel invaded southern Lebanon in March after Hezbollah, a Shia Lebanese militant group backed by Iran, resumed strikes on Israel to avenge the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. — Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026 Water security India moved to put the treaty in abeyance in April last year following a militant attack in Kashmir, for which Delhi blamed Pakistan but Islamabad denied involvement. — Sam Meredith,priyanka Salve, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for militant

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

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

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Style

“Militant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/militant. Accessed 7 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

noun

Synonyms of militant

Examples of militant in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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