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

But the militant group has not yet handed over all of the deceased hostages. —Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Nov. 2025

Those bandits are not connected to militant groups such as Boko Haram and the splinter group Islamic State West Africa Province, whose attacks on communities and government installations are motivated by religion. —CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025

His message came as authorities in the DRC confirmed that at least 17 people were killed, according to The Associated Press, when fighters from the Allied Democratic Forces, a militant group aligned with the Islamic State, stormed a church-run hospital in the village of Byambwe, North Kivu. —Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 17 Nov. 2025

The Congo has faced violence between government forces and militant groups for more than three decades. —Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 17 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