Militant: meaning, definitions and examples

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.