militant

1 of 2

adjective

mil·​i·​tant ˈmi-lə-tənt 

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

militantness

2 of 2

noun

mil·​i·​tant·​ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being militant

Synonyms of militant

Adjective

• aggressive
• hostile

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

Adjective

Settler violence against Palestinians has risen sharply during Netanyahu’s tenure, but the militant settlers who make headlines by terrorizing their Palestinian neighbors tend to live on hilltops deeper into the West Bank than this. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 26 Oct. 2026

The ministry said these security measures were aimed at targeting militant threats, not the Afghan people. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Although the town remains staunchly conservative, there are rumblings of displeasure with Netanyahu’s handling of the latest war against the militant group Hezbollah, and that could bode poorly for him in Israel’s election Tuesday. — Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

In 1982, after Israel invaded Lebanon and occupied Beirut with the intention of eliminating the Palestinian militant threat, Lebanese authorities called on Western powers for help. — Mireille Rebeiz, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

militant

adjective

mil·​i·​tant ˈmil-ə-tənt 

1

: being at war

2

: aggressively active especially in a cause

militant protesters

militant noun

militantly adverb

militantness noun