militant 1 of 2

Definition of militantnext
1
2

militant

2 of 2

noun

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

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

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 militant
Adjective
The finale is an ambiguous mix of jollity and agitation, with a piccolo shrieking above a militant march. Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026 Formed in Pakistan, the Sunni Muslim militant group is predominant in the Kashmir region, which has been involved in an often-bloody territorial dispute since the partition of India and Pakistan as the British left the subcontinent in 1947 after 300 years of colonial rule. Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
Pakistan's army chief said lasting peace depends on Kabul cutting ties with militants targeting his country. Suzan Fraser and Munir Ahmed The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 5 Mar. 2026 Last month, Erdoğan said an agreement between the Syrian government and the SDF in Syria’s northeast had helped relieve pressure on the ongoing peace process between the Turkish government and PKK militants. Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for militant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for militant
Adjective
  • While their offer was aggressive, the deal wasn’t done in a numbers vacuum.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Slater had been particularly aggressive against Big Tech companies during her tenure.
    Allie Canal, NBC news, 9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Messenger Mercury conjoins ambitious Mars in your 3rd House of Communication, boosting errands and sibling talks, as well as putting more focus on practical, timely conversations.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2026
  • The Pedro Tepache is great for ambitious tasters.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Primaries can sometimes be a collective balancing act for voters, between what partisans want in a candidate and the strategic approach of anticipating what the wider electorate might want in a candidate.
    Anthony Salvanto, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
  • Millions of Democrats in Texas, Republicans in California and partisans in other states have been effectively disenfranchised, their voices rendered mute.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Handling a hostile environment Texas coach Jim Schlossnagle said his team knew what to expect from Bobcat Ballpark.
    Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Brasília was built from scratch, in the middle of nowhere, in the hostile climate of the Cerrado—a savanna-like biome—hundreds of miles from any highway, railway, or airport.
    Sophia La Banca, JSTOR Daily, 11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • But Ferrari, once Mercedes’ fiercest F1 rival before Red Bull took over in that role at the start of the 2020s, threatened to crash the party once the lights went out.
    Luke Smith, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
  • But the spring battles for starting jobs look fierce; Warren Roberson, Kade Phillips, Kobe Black and Wardell Mack join Mascoe as cornerbacks that could make a claim on a starting job while safeties Jordon Johnson-Rubell and Zelus Hicks each could use a strong spring to make their case.
    Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 8 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • But DuBois has written a usefully ambivalent book, one that looks for a way to reconcile younger writers’ criticisms of Stanton with her own loyalty to the early women’s-rights activists.
    Moira Donegan, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Prosecutors, police and FBI officials say Balat and Kayumi drove from Pennsylvania to New York City and joined a throng of counterprotesters at the rally, whose organizer, far-right activist Jake Lang, is a critic of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a Democrat and the first Muslim to hold the office.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Last year, it was also accused of killing Uruapan mayor Carlos Manzo, a known crusader against organized crime in Mexico.
    CBS News, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
  • Kennedy has stocked key public health advisory committees with anti-vax crusaders.
    Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Militant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/militant. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on militant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster