militance

noun

ˈmi-lə-tən(t)s How to pronounce militance (audio)
Definition of militancenext
as in aggression
an inclination to fight or quarrel the level of militance varied significantly among the activist groups

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of militance The flamboyance, militance, and violence of the 1960s left might not have worked right away, after all. — Samuel Goldman, The Week, 6 Jan. 2022 The human relationship to fire on this specific piece of land was not always one of fear, anxiety, and militance. — Manjula Martin, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2021 As spring turned to summer and the pandemic seemed to be at its end, the Haredim reunited, bonded at first by impatience with public-health guidelines and then by a growing militance about the central government’s response. — New York Times, 25 Feb. 2021 That militance was frowned upon by Isaacson and others who favored a civilized political approach. — BostonGlobe.com, 26 Dec. 2019 Love shows up, even in power struggles where Queen’s militance clashes with Slim’s attempts at being level headed. — Jasmine Grant, Essence, 3 Dec. 2019 The Great Depression and America’s 1941 entry into WWII posed some complicated challenges to this legacy, as labor militance took a back seat at times of national emergency. — Kim Kelly, The New Republic, 27 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for militance
  1. aggression
  2. aggressiveness
  3. hostility
  4. militancy
  5. defiance
Noun
  • The United States must therefore carefully balance the need to de-risk against the need to deter aggression.
    — GLORIA XIONG, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Game fowl are bred for aggression by definition, said Jenny Berg, California state director of the Humane World for Animals, which worked with Rogers on the bill.
    — Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of aggression
Noun
  • This could bring up feelings of resentment, competitiveness or passive aggressiveness, especially if there’s been something simmering in the background.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The Angels swung early and often, and Cameron utilized their aggressiveness to his advantage.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of aggressiveness
Noun
  • The Soviet Union took them from Japan in the final days of World War II, and the dispute has kept the countries from signing a peace treaty formally ending their hostilities.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Riyadh and Abu Dhabi were already at loggerheads over Syria, with Saudi Arabia backing the post-Assad regime and the UAE sharing Israel’s hostility to it, and Yemen, where Saudi Arabia had just driven out Emirati proxies.
    — MARC LYNCH, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of hostility
Noun
  • Israel’s military operates in all parts of the territory, and Palestinians suspected of militancy can be held without charge for months or years under what’s known as administrative detention.
    — Joseph Krauss, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • According to witnesses, shortly before the attack, speakers at the rally said that ensuring security and eliminating militancy were the state’s responsibility.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of militancy
Noun
  • The recent stock market advance has been impressive in its defiance of major concerns, as a bullish consensus takes shape on Wall Street.
    — Sarah Min, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The device’s user manual also warns it should not be used in response to verbal defiance, or for punishment, torture or horseplay.
    — Ryan J. Foley, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of defiance

Browse Nearby Words

milieus
militance
militancy
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Cite this Entry

“Militance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/militance. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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