Synonyms of militant

militant 1 of 2

adjective

ˈmi-lə-tənt 

1

as in aggressive

feeling or displaying eagerness to fight

political radicals with a militant unwillingness to compromise on any issue

Synonyms & Similar Words

• aggressive
• hostile
• belligerent
• warlike
• contentious
• combative
• confrontational
• irritable
• assaultive
• pugnacious
• bellicose
• fierce
• feisty
• ugly
• acidic
• truculent
• savage
• agonistic
• quarrelsome
• vicious
• argumentative
• scrappy
• gladiatorial
• chippy
• disputatious
• antagonistic
• discordant
• on the warpath
• rude
• brawly
• fighting
• cross
• warring
• irascible
• ornery
• petulant
• peevish
• fractious
• waspish
• disagreeable
• fretful
• bilious
• querulous
• surly
• hot-tempered
• dyspeptic
• choleric
• battling
• bristly
• grouchy
• snappish
• grumpy
• testy
• stroppy
• crabby
• pettish
• huffy
• cranky
• touchy
• ill-tempered
• bearish
• ill-humored
• prickly
• ill-natured
• snappy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• peaceful
• peaceable
• nonaggressive
• pacific
• unwarlike
• benevolent
• friendly
• conciliatory
• nonbelligerent
• pleasant
• amiable
• cordial
• good-natured
• antimilitarist
• gracious
• genial
• easygoing
• amicable
• sociable
• affable
• uncontentious
• quiet
• kindhearted
• unbelligerent
• calm
• anti-imperialist
• complaisant
• uncombative
• ingratiating
• obliging
• serene
• mild
• benign
• tranquil
• gentle
• relaxed
• good-tempered
• kindly

2

as in ambitious

having or showing a bold forcefulness in the pursuit of a goal

militant protestors refusing to disperse

Synonyms & Similar Words

• aggressive
• ambitious
• fierce
• adventurous
• vigorous
• in-your-face
• enterprising
• assertive
• energetic
• high-pressure
• pushy
• go-getting
• confident
• daring
• belligerent
• warlike
• combative
• self-assertive
• pugnacious
• bellicose
• dynamic
• bold
• truculent
• self-asserting
• quarrelsome
• contentious
• gladiatorial
• argumentative
• strenuous
• emphatic
• trigger-happy
• domineering
• insolent
• unapologetic
• disputatious
• determined
• overambitious
• hyperaggressive
• hustling
• obtrusive
• impudent
• feisty
• emboldened
• discordant
• cocky
• adventuresome
• bumptious
• gung ho
• venturous
• brassy
• venturesome
• overconfident
• gutsy
• cheeky
• brash
• dashing
• overbearing
• audacious
• cocksure
• unyielding
• scrappy
• dominating
• magisterial
• presumptuous
• unsubdued
• imperious
• forward
• bare-knuckle
• lordly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unaggressive
• low-pressure
• unassertive
• unambitious
• easygoing
• docile
• relaxed
• nonassertive
• submissive
• compliant
• acquiescent
• passive
• deferential
• unenterprising
• amenable
• ambitionless
• timid
• mild
• tractable
• yielding
• subdued
• resigned
• quiet
• humble
• shrinking
• meek
• modest
• laid-back
• lowly
• shy
• diffident
• bashful
• mousy
• unobtrusive
• reserved
• servile
• demure
• slavish
• subservient
• obsequious
• retiring
• cowering
• overmodest
• cringing
• groveling

militant

2 of 2

noun

as in partisan

one who is intensely or excessively devoted to a cause

militants within the movement insisted that there could be no compromise on the issue

Synonyms & Similar Words

• partisan
• activist
• crusader
• zealot
• supporter
• fanatic
• advocate
• ideologue
• dreamer
• fan
• lover
• true believer
• promoter
• disciple
• champion
• red hot
• idealist
• patron
• follower
• visionary
• devotee
• apostle
• maniac
• enthusiast
• stalwart
• votary
• evangelist
• cultist
• sucker
• freak
• fancier
• fool
• junkie
• buff
• addict
• nut
• hound
• hanger-on
• fiend
• bug
• aficionado
• backer
• booster
• habitué
• idolizer
• faddist
• head
• maven
• rooter
• well-wisher

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dilettante
• nonmilitant
• dabbler

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective militant contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of militant are aggressive, assertive, and self-assertive. While all these words mean "obtrusively energetic especially in pursuing particular goals," 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

When would aggressive be a good substitute for militant?

The synonyms aggressive and militant are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

In what contexts can assertive take the place of militant?

In some situations, the words assertive and militant are roughly equivalent. However, assertive suggests bold self-confidence in expression of opinion.

the more assertive speakers dominated the forum

When is it sensible to use self-assertive instead of militant?

The words self-assertive and militant can be used in similar contexts, but self-assertive connotes forwardness or brash self-confidence.

a self-assertive young upstart

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of militant

Adjective

But since the beginning of the year, hundreds of Nigerians have been killed, injured, or kidnapped in attacks across the country with responsibility attributed to a mix of militant and criminal actors, including Boko Haram, the Islamic State, and a group known as Lakurawa. —Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 11 Feb. 2026

Beirut has seen more than its share of war — the latest was a year of fighting between the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and Israel that began in late 2023. —Jane Arraf, NPR, 10 Feb. 2026

Noun

Palestinian militants have also attacked Israeli forces. —Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026

The inquiry commission pointed to comments Herzog made less than a week after Hamas militants killed and kidnapped hundreds of Israelis on October 7, 2023. —Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026