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

The Proud Boys is an American far-right, neo-fascist militant organization that promotes political and cultural violence. —MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025

Hamas and other militant groups still hold 48 hostages, 20 of whom are believed to be alive. —Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025

There are still 48 of them being held by the militant group – 20 of whom are presumed to be alive. —Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025

As such, the political and militant body – which has governed the territory since June 2007 – will need to be in a desperate situation to accept the terms. —Asher Kaufman, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 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