Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Militant Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

👊
Add to dictionary

militant

[ˈmɪlɪt(ə)nt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

aggressive

A militant is a person who is aggressively active in a cause, particularly in a political or social context. Militants often advocate for change through forceful or confrontational means.

Synonyms

activist, extremist, radical.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
militant

Use when referring to someone who is aggressive or combative, especially in support of a cause.

  • The militant group organized protests across the city.
  • Militant activists clashed with police during the demonstration.
activist

Use to describe someone who campaigns for some kind of social change, typically in a non-violent manner.

  • The environmental activist led a campaign to reduce plastic waste.
  • She is a well-known human rights activist.
radical

Use when describing someone who wants complete and fundamental changes in society, often considered revolutionary and can be positive or negative.

  • She proposed radical changes to the education system.
  • Radical thinkers often challenge the status quo.
extremist

Use for someone who has radical views and often resorts to extreme measures; usually has a negative connotation.

  • The extremist group was responsible for several violent acts in the city.
  • Extremist views can sometimes lead to acts of terrorism.

Examples of usage

  • He was known as a militant activist for civil rights.
  • The group of militants staged a protest outside the government building.
  • She joined the militant organization to fight against corruption.
Context #2 | Adjective

aggressive

Militant is used to describe a person or group that is combative, aggressive, or confrontational in their beliefs or actions.

Synonyms

aggressive, combative, confrontational.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
militant

Used to describe someone who is willing to use strong, sometimes violent, action in order to achieve their goals, often in a political or social context.

  • The militant group organized a protest demanding immediate change.
  • Her militant stance on environmental issues has made her both popular and controversial.
aggressive

Describes someone who is forceful, determined, and often confronts people or situations in a negative or hostile way.

  • His aggressive approach during the meeting scared some of his colleagues.
  • The dog became aggressive when it felt threatened.
combative

Refers to a person who is eager to fight or argue, ready to engage in conflict.

  • The politician's combative behavior during the debate did not sit well with the audience.
  • She has a combative nature and often argues with her friends over trivial matters.
confrontational

Describes a person or situation that involves a lot of direct and hostile behavior, usually leading to conflict or disputes.

  • His confrontational style in the negotiations led to a stalemate.
  • The teacher tried to avoid a confrontational discussion with the upset student.

Examples of usage

  • The militant group launched a series of attacks against the enemy.
  • She had a militant attitude towards social justice causes.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'militant'

The word 'militant' originated in the late 16th century from the Latin word 'militant-' (stem of militans), present participle of militare, meaning 'to serve as a soldier'. Over time, the term evolved to refer to individuals or groups actively engaged in a cause or movement, often using forceful methods to achieve their goals.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,089, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.