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 of militant

• 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

These moves have been met with firm opposition from the Venezuelan government, which denies the existence of the Cartel of the Suns and any government connections to the various criminal or militant organizations active in the region. —Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025

Although Israel accused the Palestinian militant group of stealing aid, an internal US government review found no evidence of widespread Hamas theft. —Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 24 Nov. 2025

Israel and the United States have been piling the pressure on Lebanon to disarm the powerful militant group. —NPR, 23 Nov. 2025

The militant group said that the force's mandate. —Arkansas Online, 21 Nov. 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