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
• 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

an angry and militant speech

political radicals with a militant unwillingness to compromise on any issue

Recent Examples on the Web

But Afghan-Pakistan relations have soured amid an uptick in militant violence against Pakistan. —Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025

Palestinian militant group Hamas on Monday returned the 20 living hostages held in Gaza for more than two years to Israel, while Israeli authorities released close to 2,000 Palestinian prisoners after pulling back military forces in the strip to control roughly half of the territory. —Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025

In the months since, Hamas suffered several setbacks including Israel's 12-day war in Iran in June, which helped to deplete the militant group's supply of ammunition. —Joey Garrison, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025

Regional partners, including Egypt and Jordan, will help ensure compliance and prevent the resurgence of militant threats. —Morgan Phillips, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2025

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