militant

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

Synonyms

• aggressive
• agonistic
• argumentative
• assaultive
• bellicose
• belligerent
• brawly
• chippy
• combative
• confrontational
• contentious
• discordant
• disputatious
• feisty
• gladiatorial
• pugnacious
• quarrelsome
• scrappy
• truculent
• warlike

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

Lebanon's militant group has long been one of Israel's biggest foes More than 118,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon since Monday, according to the United Nations. —Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2024

Since the day after the October 7 attacks by Hamas, Hezbollah has been firing on Israel in solidarity with the militant group and Palestinians in Gaza. —Mick Krever, CNN, 27 Sep. 2024

In addition to funding Hezbollah and Hamas, Iran supplies its proxies − militant groups like the Houthis with whom it is aligned − in Yemen and Iraq with weapons and finance. —Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 27 Sep. 2024

Alexander Smith Israel says its aims in Lebanon are simple: allow the 60,000 evacuees to return to their homes near the Lebanese border, push back Hezbollah forces and destroy the militant group’s nearby infrastructure. —Doha Madani, NBC News, 26 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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