militant
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
Synonyms
- aggressive
- agonistic
- argumentative
- assaultive
- bellicose
- belligerent
- brawly
- chippy
- combative
- confrontational
- contentious
- discordant
- disputatious
- feisty
- gladiatorial
- pugnacious
- quarrelsome
- scrappy
- truculent
- warlike
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
an angry and militant speech political radicals with a militant unwillingness to compromise on any issue
Recent Examples on the Web The strikes are the latest in a slow-burning conflict between the U.S. military and Iranian-backed militant groups in Syria and Iraq that have sworn to drive American forces from the region. 
Jared Malsin, WSJ, 25 Aug. 2022 Most Republican lawmakers — and a handful of Democrats — oppose entering an arrangement with the Islamic Republic that does not resolve other issues such as support for militant groups. Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2022 Just last week, Mali accused France of funding militant groups who want to destabilize the west African country, escalating a recent fallout between both countries. Alexander Onukwue, Quartz, 23 Aug. 2022 Prior to the cease-fire, the flare-up was the worst fighting between Israel and Gaza militant groups since Israel and Hamas fought an 11-day war last year. Editors, USA TODAY, 8 Aug. 2022 But the violence on Friday drew warnings of retaliation from Palestinian militant groups and raised the possibility of extended conflict. New York Times, 5 Aug. 2022 With elections coming up in Kenya on Aug. 9, the study cites 30 public Facebook pages from militant groups that intentionally sow distrust in democracy and the government. Emily Dreibelbis, PCMAG, 1 Aug. 2022 The area is controlled by opposition militant groups, and worsening overall living conditions have left 4.1 million in need of humanitarian assistance. Sarah Dadouch, Washington Post, 22 July 2022 Israel considers Iran to be its greatest enemy, in part because of its support for militant groups like Hamas. BostonGlobe.com, 16 July 2022 See More
Jared Malsin, WSJ, 25 Aug. 2022 Most Republican lawmakers — and a handful of Democrats — oppose entering an arrangement with the Islamic Republic that does not resolve other issues such as support for militant groups. Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2022 Just last week, Mali accused France of funding militant groups who want to destabilize the west African country, escalating a recent fallout between both countries. Alexander Onukwue, Quartz, 23 Aug. 2022 Prior to the cease-fire, the flare-up was the worst fighting between Israel and Gaza militant groups since Israel and Hamas fought an 11-day war last year. Editors, USA TODAY, 8 Aug. 2022 But the violence on Friday drew warnings of retaliation from Palestinian militant groups and raised the possibility of extended conflict. New York Times, 5 Aug. 2022 With elections coming up in Kenya on Aug. 9, the study cites 30 public Facebook pages from militant groups that intentionally sow distrust in democracy and the government. Emily Dreibelbis, PCMAG, 1 Aug. 2022 The area is controlled by opposition militant groups, and worsening overall living conditions have left 4.1 million in need of humanitarian assistance. Sarah Dadouch, Washington Post, 22 July 2022 Israel considers Iran to be its greatest enemy, in part because of its support for militant groups like Hamas. BostonGlobe.com, 16 July 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
militant 1 of 2
adjective
1
as in aggressive
feeling or displaying eagerness to fight political radicals with a militant unwillingness to compromise on any issue Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- aggressive
- hostile
- belligerent
- warlike
- combative
- confrontational
- bellicose
- contentious
- pugnacious
- assaultive
- irritable
- feisty
- fierce
- truculent
- savage
- acidic
- ugly
- agonistic
- quarrelsome
- vicious
- scrappy
- argumentative
- gladiatorial
- disputatious
- antagonistic
- chippy
- brawly
- fighting
- discordant
- rude
- cross
- warring
- ornery
- irascible
- petulant
- fractious
- waspish
- peevish
- fretful
- disagreeable
- surly
- choleric
- bilious
- querulous
- hot-tempered
- dyspeptic
- on the warpath
- grouchy
- stroppy
- snappish
- bristly
- grumpy
- battling
- testy
- crabby
- ill-tempered
- huffy
- pettish
- ill-humored
- touchy
- bearish
- cranky
- prickly
- ill-natured
- snappy
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- peaceful
- peaceable
- nonaggressive
- nonbelligerent
- antimilitarist
- pacific
- unwarlike
- benevolent
- conciliatory
- friendly
- amiable
- anti-imperialist
- pleasant
- easygoing
- cordial
- genial
- affable
- sociable
- unbelligerent
- uncontentious
- amicable
- kindhearted
- uncombative
- gracious
- complaisant
- quiet
- calm
- obliging
- ingratiating
- serene
- mild
- gentle
- tranquil
- relaxed
- benign
- good-natured
- good-tempered
- kindly
2
as in ambitious
having or showing a bold forcefulness in the pursuit of a goal militant protestors refusing to disperse Synonyms & Similar Words
- aggressive
- ambitious
- fierce
- adventurous
- vigorous
- enterprising
- assertive
- energetic
- belligerent
- in-your-face
- pushy
- warlike
- combative
- daring
- bellicose
- pugnacious
- self-assertive
- confident
- go-getting
- truculent
- dynamic
- self-asserting
- high-pressure
- quarrelsome
- bold
- unapologetic
- domineering
- trigger-happy
- argumentative
- hyperaggressive
- insolent
- contentious
- determined
- strenuous
- emboldened
- disputatious
- gladiatorial
- emphatic
- feisty
- impudent
- adventuresome
- bumptious
- overambitious
- hustling
- obtrusive
- cocky
- venturous
- discordant
- brassy
- brash
- gutsy
- venturesome
- gung ho
- overconfident
- overbearing
- unyielding
- cheeky
- scrappy
- audacious
- dashing
- cocksure
- dominating
- bare-knuckles
- unsubdued
- magisterial
- presumptuous
- imperious
- bare-knuckled
- bare-knuckle
- forward
- lordly
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unaggressive
- unassertive
- docile
- easygoing
- unambitious
- submissive
- relaxed
- acquiescent
- nonassertive
- compliant
- passive
- ambitionless
- deferential
- timid
- amenable
- unenterprising
- subdued
- mild
- meek
- tractable
- laid-back
- humble
- quiet
- diffident
- yielding
- resigned
- mousy
- modest
- shrinking
- lowly
- bashful
- demure
- slavish
- shy
- unobtrusive
- mousey
- reserved
- subservient
- obsequious
- low-pressure
- grovelling
- servile
- retiring
- cowering
- overmodest
- cringing
- groveling
militant
2 of 2noun
as in partisan
one who is intensely or excessively devoted to a cause militants within the movement insisted that there could be no compromise on the issue Synonyms & Similar Words
- partisan
- activist
- crusader
- zealot
- fanatic
- supporter
- ideologue
- advocate
- fan
- idealogue
- true believer
- red hot
- partizan
- promoter
- disciple
- idealist
- visionary
- follower
- champion
- stalwart
- devotee
- cultist
- maniac
- dreamer
- patron
- lover
- enthusiast
- apostle
- evangelist
- votary
- junky
- fancier
- junkie
- freak
- hanger-on
- fiend
- buff
- hound
- addict
- sucker
- nut
- backer
- aficionado
- maven
- fool
- faddist
- habitue
- booster
- idolizer
- bug
- rooter
- habitué
- head
- mavin
- well-wisher
- afficionado
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- nonmilitant
- dilettante
- dabbler
Synonym Chooser
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
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 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
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