militant

1 of 2

adjective

mil·​i·​tant ˈmi-lə-tənt 

1

: engaged in warfare or combat : fighting

2

: aggressively active (as in a cause) : combative

militant conservationists

a militant attitude

militant noun

militantly adverb

militantness noun

militantness

2 of 2

noun

mil·​i·​tant·​ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being militant

Synonyms of militant

Adjective

• aggressive
• hostile

Choose the Right Synonym for militant

aggressive, militant, assertive, self-assertive mean obtrusively energetic especially in pursuing particular goals.

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

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

assertive suggests bold self-confidence in expression of opinion.

the more assertive speakers dominated the forum

self-assertive connotes forwardness or brash self-confidence.

a self-assertive young upstart

Examples of militant in a Sentence

Adjective

an angry and militant speech

political radicals with a militant unwillingness to compromise on any issue

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The Israeli military said the munition was believed to belong to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. — Arkansas Online, 11 Oct. 2026

Yemen's Houthis, a militant group backed by Tehran, claimed the attacks. — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026

Iraqi Kurdistan may become less attractive as a target for militant groups seeking to pressure the United States. — Firmesk Rahim, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026

There was music and singing, but we were dressed in gowns and tuxedos and then did militant poetry. — Jeremy Rellosa, Curbed, 8 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

militant

adjective

mil·​i·​tant ˈmil-ə-tənt 

1

: being at war

2

: aggressively active especially in a cause

militant protesters

militant noun

militantly adverb

militantness noun