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

Pakistan accuses Afghanistan's Taliban government of harboring militant groups that stage attacks against it and also of allying with its archrival India. —Abdul Qahar Afghan, Arkansas Online, 2 Mar. 2026

The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah claimed strikes on Israel for the first time in more than a year, and Israel fired back. —Cara Anna, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026

Iranian proxies join the fray Hezbollah’s launch of missiles at Israel was the first time in more than a year that the militant group has claimed an attack. —Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2026

In the wake of the American and Israeli offensive, two senior Houthi officials told the Associated Press Saturday that the Yemeni militant group would restart missile and drone operations against commercial shipping. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 2 Mar. 2026

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