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militant

adjective
mil·​i·​tant | \ ˈmi-lÉ™-tÉ™nt How to pronounce militant (audio) \

Definition of militant

1 : engaged in warfare or combat : fighting
2 : aggressively active (as in a cause) : combative militant conservationists a militant attitude
Other Words from militant Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about militant

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Other Words from militant

militant noun
militantly adverb
militantness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for militant

aggressive, militant, assertive, self-assertive mean obtrusively energetic especially in pursuing particular goals. 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 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 assertive suggests bold self-confidence in expression of opinion. the more assertive speakers dominated the forum self-assertive connotes forwardness or brash self-confidence. a self-assertive young upstart

Examples of militant in a Sentence

an angry and militant speech political radicals with a militant unwillingness to compromise on any issue

Recent Examples on the Web

 But the news that a meeting was planned drew criticism as skeptics have said the Taliban, itself a militant Islamic group that harbored Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda —which carried out the 9/11 attacks — cannot be trusted. — Christal Hayes, USA TODAY, "Trump criticized for planning secret Camp David meeting with Taliban only days before 9/11," 8 Sep. 2019 But the militant group now controls or holds sway over roughly half of the country. — Cara Anna, The Denver Post, "AP Explains: How Trump upended US-Taliban peace talks," 8 Sep. 2019 Farah provincial governor Mohammad Shoaib Sabet said another 15 people were wounded, citing local hospitals, and said airstrikes had been carried out against the militant group. — Tameem Akhgar, BostonGlobe.com, "Afghan president postpones US trip to discuss Taliban deal," 6 Sep. 2019 But Afghan officials expressed serious doubts over the pending deal this week, as the militant group claimed responsibility for the second deadly explosion in the capital in less than three days. — Anchorage Daily News, "U.S. and Romanian soldiers killed in Afghanistan bombing claimed by Taliban," 5 Sep. 2019 Israel and Jordan took that pledge to include Iran’s proxies, especially the Lebanese Shiite militant group Hezbollah. — Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, "What Russian deal? Israel and Jordan cast wary eye toward Syria.," 12 Aug. 2019 Graham, one of Trump’s closest allies on Capitol Hill, has repeatedly warned the president not to trust the Taliban to control Al Qaeda and other militant groups in Afghanistan. — BostonGlobe.com, "Lindsey Graham warns Trump about Afghanistan drawdown," 26 Aug. 2019 Last year, a member of a local militant neo-Nazi group was charged for murdering a 19-year-old gay Jewish classmate. — Ellen Mcgirt, Fortune, "Business Needs a New Perspective: raceAhead," 26 Aug. 2019 Over the years, Iran has built a network of allies and militant groups to help advance its interests in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen. — Ben Hubbard, New York Times, "Hezbollah Says Drones That Crashed in Beirut Suburbs Came From Israel," 25 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'militant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of militant

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More Definitions for militant

militant

adjective
How to pronounce militant (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of militant

: having or showing a desire or willingness to use strong, extreme, and sometimes forceful methods to achieve something

See the full definition for militant in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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More from Merriam-Webster on militant

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for militant

Spanish Central: Translation of militant

Nglish: Translation of militant for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of militant for Arabic Speakers

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