militance

noun

ˈmi-lə-tən(t)s How to pronounce militance (audio)
Definition of militancenext
as in aggression
an inclination to fight or quarrel the level of militance varied significantly among the activist groups

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of militance The human relationship to fire on this specific piece of land was not always one of fear, anxiety, and militance. — Manjula Martin, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2021 The flamboyance, militance, and violence of the 1960s left might not have worked right away, after all. — Samuel Goldman, The Week, 6 Jan. 2022 Love shows up, even in power struggles where Queen’s militance clashes with Slim’s attempts at being level headed. — Jasmine Grant, Essence, 3 Dec. 2019 That militance was frowned upon by Isaacson and others who favored a civilized political approach. — BostonGlobe.com, 26 Dec. 2019 As spring turned to summer and the pandemic seemed to be at its end, the Haredim reunited, bonded at first by impatience with public-health guidelines and then by a growing militance about the central government’s response. — New York Times, 25 Feb. 2021 The Great Depression and America’s 1941 entry into WWII posed some complicated challenges to this legacy, as labor militance took a back seat at times of national emergency. — Kim Kelly, The New Republic, 27 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for militance
  1. aggression
  2. aggressiveness
  3. hostility
  4. militancy
  5. defiance
Noun
  • Hello to a new era The relationship was characterized by passive aggression, cryptic tweets and small slights that added up to a big, if not inevitable, breakup.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • Ukraine and its neighbors are increasingly skeptical that the US will come to their aid in the face of Russian aggression, and are taking precautions accordingly.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of aggression
Noun
  • Dillon Thieneman’s speed Since draft night in April, Thieneman has been lauded for his combination of speed, instincts and aggressiveness.
    — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 24 June 2026
  • This is a lineup structured to thrive with a small-ball approach — high batting average, chaos and aggressiveness on the basepaths, and manufacturing runs.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 18 June 2026
Definition of aggressiveness
Noun
  • The Art, Not Science, of Leadership Ultimately, the hostility toward dual-class shares reflects a broader cultural shift in how many good governance advocates view corporate leadership.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 6 July 2026
  • Because that opposition is motivated in part by hostility to artificial intelligence.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 6 July 2026
Definition of hostility
Noun
  • Iron Ore Is The New Potential Problem Iron ore is a new potential problem which is tied to new industrial relations laws in Australia which have encouraged greater union militancy.
    — Tim Treadgold, Forbes.com, 17 June 2026
  • Performing in Creole is one thing, but there’s also a triumphant, egalitarian militancy to Vinette and Rio’s songwriting that’s intrinsic to the Haitian diaspora.
    — Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 9 June 2026
Definition of militancy
Noun
  • Additionally, occasional rule-breaking and defiance are considered a normal part of child and adolescent development.
    — Elizabeth Dowdell, The Conversation, 6 July 2026
  • The funeral was also used to project defiance, with thousands of mourners filling Tehran and chanting for revenge.
    — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of defiance

Browse Nearby Words

milieus
militance
militancy
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Cite this Entry

“Militance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/militance. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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