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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
He was later named the militant group's overall leader after Israel killed his predecessor, Ismail Haniyeh, and Hamas military wing leader and fellow Oct. 7 architect Mohammad Deif. Henry Austin, NBC news, 28 May 2025 But by venturing deeper into Pakistan and hitting a broad array of targets, India also wanted to reestablish deterrence and discourage Pakistan’s military from backing militant groups active in Indian territory. Aqil Shah, Foreign Affairs, 23 May 2025 Saturday's summit comes two months after Israel ended a ceasefire reached with the Hamas militant group in January. Arkansas Online, 18 May 2025 Israel blames civilian casualties on Hamas because the militant group operates from civilian areas. Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for militant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for militant
Adjective
  • Nonprofits focused on such issues could be seen as antagonistic to the company’s aggressive commercialization efforts.
    Hayden Field, CNBC, 23 May 2025
  • The 82-year-old was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, the second most common cancer among men, with 1 in 8 being diagnosed in their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society.
    Sam Woodward, USA Today, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • Musk has seemingly pushed back the deadline for the $1 trillion in savings, as the billionaire Tesla chief said in March the ambitious cuts would be completed in roughly two months.
    Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • The stricken destroyer was the country’s newest warship and was meant to be a triumph of North Korea’s ambitious naval modernization effort.
    Mike Valerio, CNN Money, 31 May 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • Trump and his partisans have raged against these orders, many of them issued by individual district judges in deep-blue districts on very short time frames.
    The Editors, National Review, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • The game is scheduled to tip off at 8 p.m. ET and Pacers fans are sure to bring the energy and create a hostile atmosphere for New York.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025
  • Some of countries in the continent that are rich in uranium, such as Niger and Gabon, may be delicate or difficult to deal with in the near term as both underwent military coups recently, with Niger turning hostile toward the French and more toward the Russians.
    Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
Adjective
  • The feedback was fierce—storyboards dismantled, ideas shredded—but the environment was psychologically safe.
    Ann Kowal Smith, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • Caron was used to seeing my fiery side, the fierce competitor, the demanding coach.
    Jim Calhoun with Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 31 May 2025
Noun
  • More than a dozen activists were arrested Wednesday evening during a protest at U.S. Immigration Court in Manhattan, police sources said.
    Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 29 May 2025
  • Still, many families and activists are speaking out against the CIF for allowing the situation to continue at all, and the Trump administration has given no indication the rule changes will satisfy its demands on the issue.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 28 May 2025
Noun
  • Colonization, wars, crusaders, the Crimean War, Napoleon, World War One, Adolf Hitler.
    Matthew Chance, CNN, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Perhaps no other American statesman has ever disdained the role of idealism in foreign policy—the meddling of human-rights activists and democracy crusaders—quite like Kissinger.
    Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 1 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Militant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/militant. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

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