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militant

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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

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 region has been on edge for the past two years as Israel seeks to annihilate the Hamas militant group, an Iranian ally, in the Gaza Strip, where war still rages after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel. Elena Becatoros, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2025 Izadi had been sanctioned by the U.S. and U.K. over his ties to the Palestinian militant faction Islamic Jihad, which also helped plan the Oct. 7 terror attacks. Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 21 June 2025 Israel has since been fighting a war on multiple fronts against the Palestinian militant group and other Iranian proxies, such as Lebanon's Hezbollah and Yemen's Houthi — which Tehran says are acting independently. Ruxandra Iordache, CNBC, 20 June 2025 The aid group accused Hamas of carrying out the assault; the militant group has not yet responded to the allegations. Jade Walker, CNN Money, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for militant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for militant
Adjective
  • But even in Alberta, a province that has favored development, the legacy policies are still likely not aggressive enough to meet the moment.
    Mark Le Dain, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
  • The aggressive approach to deportations is giving Democrats a unifying message in opposition to Trump.
    Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 14 June 2025
Adjective
  • Oh Ae-sun (played by K-pop superstar IU, who also portrays Ae-sun’s daughter Geum-myeong) is a poor but ambitious girl who grows up on South Korea’s Jeju Island in the 1950s and 1960s.
    Regina Kim, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
  • This year’s edition, moreover, is more ambitious than ever.
    Essie Assibu, Variety, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • Only the most punch-drunk partisan would give Republicans as much as a 50-50 chance of succeeding Gavin Newsom.
    Mark Barabak, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Though the central bank’s partisans will claim in breathy tones that the Fed’s thinking and decisions aren’t compromised by the tawdry politics that so many associate with Washington, the reality is quite different.
    John Tamny, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, Syria has turned from a fertile ground to a hostile one for Iran and its assets, after the Assad regime was toppled in December.
    Lina Khatib, Time, 19 June 2025
  • By contrast, the U.S. had appeared openly skeptical and was often even seen as hostile.
    Ozan Ozerk, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • Sanders’s Senate counterpart, Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT), is a fierce Trump critic.
    David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 13 June 2025
  • Meta’s big bet on Wang fits into CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s plans to bolster his company’s AI efforts amid fierce competition from OpenAI and Google-parent Alphabet.
    Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • The Columbia University activist landed at Newark Airport on Saturday.
    Armando Garcia, ABC News, 21 June 2025
  • Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil was released from federal immigration detention on Friday following a judge’s ruling.
    Miriam Waldvogel, The Hill, 21 June 2025
Noun
  • One of the tax’s principal backers was Alvah Chapman, a former Miami Herald publisher and homeless crusader.
    Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2025
  • In the space of a year, the major record labels have shifted from legal crusaders to would-be business partners.
    Virginie Berger, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Militant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/militant. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.

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