adj
Uncommon
militant
MIH-lih-tuhnt
Militant (adj) means Aggressively determined to fight for or support a cause. Example: “The group took an increasingly militant stance on environmental protest.”
adj
1
Aggressively determined to fight for or support a cause.
"The group took an increasingly militant stance on environmental protest."
"The union's leader gave a militant speech demanding fairer working conditions."
"Some members felt the campaign had become too militant for their liking."
noun
1
A person who supports a cause through aggressive or confrontational action, sometimes including violence.
"Armed militants had taken control of the border checkpoint."
"As a young militant, he joined every protest his group organised."
"The newspaper described her as a militant who never accepted a compromise."
How to use militant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone (or some behaviour) that is combative and aggressively committed to a cause, sometimes to the point of violence.
Common mistake
"Militant" doesn't always mean armed or violent — it can simply describe someone who is unusually forceful and uncompromising about a belief.
Common pairings
militant activist
militant stance
militant group
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Word forms
- Plural
- militants
- Comparative
- more militant
- Superlative
- most militant
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The group took an increasingly _____ stance on environmental protest.
Etymology
From Latin mīlitāre, "to serve as a soldier" — the same root that gives us "military."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for militant
See all rhymes for militant →Frequently asked questions
What does “militant” mean?
The word “militant” means aggressively determined to fight for or support a cause. In plain terms, someone (or some behaviour) that is combative and aggressively committed to a cause, sometimes to the point of violence.
How do you pronounce “militant”?
“Militant” is pronounced MIH-lih-tuhnt (/ˈmɪlɪtənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “militant” in a sentence?
Here is “militant” used in a sentence: “The group took an increasingly militant stance on environmental protest.”
What is another word for “militant”?
Words with a similar meaning to “militant” include warrish.
What part of speech is “militant”?
Depending on how it is used, “militant” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “militant” come from?
The word “militant” comes from Latin. From Latin mīlitāre, "to serve as a soldier" — the same root that gives us "military.".
Is “militant” a common word?
“Militant” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “militant” have?
“Militant” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: aggressively determined to fight for or support a cause.
What is the difference between militant and violent?
"Militant" describes someone aggressively determined to fight for or support a cause, which can involve confrontational tactics without necessarily involving physical force, whereas "violent" specifically implies physical harm. A militant supporter may use forceful rhetoric or protest without committing violence.
Is "militant" always used negatively?
"Militant" often carries a critical or cautionary tone, especially when describing groups associated with confrontation, but it can also be used more neutrally to describe someone strongly and actively committed to a cause.
Can "militant" be both an adjective and a noun?
Yes, "militant" works as an adjective (a militant activist) describing aggressive determination, and as a noun (a militant) referring to a person who supports a cause through aggressive or confrontational action.
