militate
/ˈmɪlɪteɪt
/verb [no object] (militate against)
(Of a fact or circumstance) be a powerful or conclusive factor in preventing: these fundamental differences will militate against the two communities coming together...
- The problem with this cheerful notion is that circumstances militate against nature in the big city.
- Have the international community played a positive role or have they in fact militated against the development plans through the so called International Development Assistance agencies?
- Of course, several circumstances militated against that happening.
Synonyms
tend to prevent, work against, resist, hinder, discourage, oppose, counter, cancel out, foil, prejudice, operate/work/go/tell against, be detrimental to, be disadvantageous to
Usage
The verbs militate and mitigate are often confused. See mitigate (usage).
Origin
Late 16th century: from Latin militat- 'served as a soldier', from the verb militare, from miles, milit- 'soldier'.