militant

adjective

mil·​i·​tant ˈmi-lə-tənt How to pronounce militant (audio)
1
: engaged in warfare or combat : fighting
2
: 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.
The militant group has said that the move would affect the remaining hostages as well. Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2025 In December, a coalition of opposition fighters led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) took over cities and eventually Damascus as regime forces retreated. Jane Arraf, NPR, 7 Mar. 2025 The new plan would require Hamas to release half its remaining hostages -- the militant group's main bargaining chip -- in exchange for a ceasefire extension and a promise to negotiate a lasting truce. arkansasonline.com, 6 Mar. 2025 The talks are the first of their kind; before U.S. presidential envoy for hostage affairs Adam Boehler began meeting with the militant group in Doha, the U.S. had never before engaged directly with Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization in 1997. Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 6 Mar. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Militant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/militant. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

militant

adjective
mil·​i·​tant ˈmil-ə-tənt How to pronounce militant (audio)
1
: being at war
2
: aggressively active especially in a cause
militant protesters
militant noun
militantly adverb
militantness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on militant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!