as in aggression
an inclination to fight or quarrel
the level of militance varied significantly among the activist groups
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of militance
This is compounded by the economic impacts of the Trump trade pressures, the global backlash of the Hong Kong National Security Law, the declining fortunes of national technology champion Huawei, and other reactions to growing China militance and chauvinism.
—
Therese Shaheen, National Review, 1 Sep. 2020
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
Nearly every artist had a go at exalting Zapata for his deep rootedness in native soil as well as for his dashing militance.
—Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2020
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
Therese Shaheen, National Review, 1 Sep. 2020
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
Nearly every artist had a go at exalting Zapata for his deep rootedness in native soil as well as for his dashing militance.
—Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2020
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
Noun
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On the other hand, a sales executive role emphasizes influence and communication, making manipulative tactics, aggression and toxic humor as more concerning.—
Darrin Lipscomb,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
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Putin is a war criminal, guilty of the worst aggression in Europe since World War II.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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There is a clear correlation between being the victim of hostility and suffering from negative mental health or even physical health.—
Jo Causon,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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Time and again the president has expressed optimism after speaking with Putin about winding down the hostilities.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
3 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Spiritual militancy reflects an aggressive, us-vs.-them mindset that blurs the line between faith and authoritarianism, promoting dominion over society in the name of spiritual warfare.—
Art Jipson,
The Conversation,
8 July 2025
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While direct conflicts between the two sides have not taken place since 1999, India has repeatedly accused Pakistan of funding a militancy in Kashmir, along with other major terror attacks on Indian soil including the 2008 Mumbai attacks.—
Siladitya Ray,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2025
Noun
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The weight of evidence indicates that Emery’s side, in defiance of their ongoing challenges, will not collapse completely because of an inherent robustness.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
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The move comes in direct defiance of President Donald Trump, who rolled back immigration enforcement protection earlier this year for specialfspaces like churches and schools.—
Liam Hibbert,
The Washington Examiner,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Militance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/militance. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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