MILITANT Synonyms: 260 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'militant' contrast with its synonyms?

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

Q: When would 'aggressive' be a good substitute for 'militant'?

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

Q: In what contexts can 'assertive' take the place of 'militant'?

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

Q: When is it sensible to use 'self-assertive' instead of 'militant'?

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

militant 1 of 2

adjective

ˈmi-lə-tənt

Definition of militant next

as in aggressive

feeling or displaying eagerness to fight political radicals with a militant unwillingness to compromise on any issue

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in ambitious

having or showing a bold forcefulness in the pursuit of a goal militant protestors refusing to disperse

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

militant

2 of 2

noun

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective militant contrast with its synonyms?

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

When would aggressive be a good substitute for militant?

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 what contexts can assertive take the place of militant?

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

When is it sensible to use self-assertive instead of militant?

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

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of militant

Adjective

Set amid the events of the 1972 Munich Olympics, the film follows what happens when ABC, which was covering the games for U.S. audiences, was on air when news came down that members of the Israeli Olympic team were taken hostage by the Palestinian militant group Black September. —

Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 12 Dec. 2024 Fighters from the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham militant group, which led the rebel overthrow, stood guard, checking cars in a bid to put a stop to any more thefts from the building that was Assad’s main residence until he was forced into exile. —

Richard Engel, NBC News, 12 Dec. 2024 That's not much time to: Decipher the role of the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a former Al-Qaeda affiliate that's now commanding the spotlight on the ground in Syria. —

Colin Demarest, Axios, 11 Dec. 2024 Hezbollah helped keep Assad in power, and the militant group has for years used Syria as a conduit to transfer weapons into Lebanon. —

Scott Neuman, NPR, 10 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for militant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for militant

Adjective

Trump and his team, including tech billionaire Elon Musk, have already spoken to leaders around the world and are now taking an aggressive stance toward international operation of the Panama Canal and attempts to purchase Greenland.

Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 24 Dec. 2024
At the same time, record global temperatures and California’s aggressive regulatory actions served as stark reminders of the urgency of balancing energy growth with sustainability.

Robert Rapier, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024