militant
/ˈmɪlɪtənt/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.62 in modern English
10
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
3
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
adj
Fighting or disposed to fight; belligerent, warlike.
adj
Aggressively supporting of an idea, group, political or social cause, etc.; adamant, combative.
noun
An entrenched or aggressive adherent to a particular cause, now especially a member of a particular ideological faction.
Example Sentences
- "The upper tiers of the foreign ministry were quick to embrace a militant policy."
- "Senior members of Jemaah Islamiyah, the Southeast Asian militant network blamed for the deadly Bali bombings, have announced they are disbanding the group, according to a report by a Jakarta-based think tank on Thursday."
- "The physiological state is not itself militant against erotic expression."
- "[Jim Owles] lamented the declining influence of militant organizations and tactics, stating that militants "help keep the rest of us honest," and prevent moderates from selling out."
- "Described by witnesses as a keen cricketer and pubgoer until contacts with Islamic militants radicalized him on a trip to Pakistan, he was ordered to serve at least 14 years for the plot, and for supplying militants in Afghanistan with money and equipment."
- "Officials in Pakistan have confirmed that at least 250 schoolchildren between 12 and 18 years old and several teachers were taken hostage by at least seven militants inside a high school in Domail."
Etymology
From Middle French militant, from Latin mīlitāns, present participle of mīlitāre (“to serve as a soldier”).
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: militant, mīlitāns