as in aggression
an inclination to fight or quarrel
the level of militance varied significantly among the activist groups
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example 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 militance
This is compounded by the economic impacts of the Trump trade pressures, the global backlash of the Hong Kong National Security Law, the declining fortunes of national technology champion Huawei, and other reactions to growing China militance and chauvinism.
—
Therese Shaheen, National Review, 1 Sep. 2020
The flamboyance, militance, and violence of the 1960s left might not have worked right away, after all.
—Samuel Goldman, The Week, 6 Jan. 2022
The human relationship to fire on this specific piece of land was not always one of fear, anxiety, and militance.
—Manjula Martin, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2021
As spring turned to summer and the pandemic seemed to be at its end, the Haredim reunited, bonded at first by impatience with public-health guidelines and then by a growing militance about the central government’s response.
—New York Times, 25 Feb. 2021
Nearly every artist had a go at exalting Zapata for his deep rootedness in native soil as well as for his dashing militance.
—Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2020
That militance was frowned upon by Isaacson and others who favored a civilized political approach.
—BostonGlobe.com, 26 Dec. 2019
Love shows up, even in power struggles where Queen’s militance clashes with Slim’s attempts at being level headed.
—Jasmine Grant, Essence, 3 Dec. 2019
The Great Depression and America’s 1941 entry into WWII posed some complicated challenges to this legacy, as labor militance took a back seat at times of national emergency.
—Kim Kelly, The New Republic, 27 Sep. 2019
Therese Shaheen, National Review, 1 Sep. 2020
The flamboyance, militance, and violence of the 1960s left might not have worked right away, after all.
—Samuel Goldman, The Week, 6 Jan. 2022
The human relationship to fire on this specific piece of land was not always one of fear, anxiety, and militance.
—Manjula Martin, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2021
As spring turned to summer and the pandemic seemed to be at its end, the Haredim reunited, bonded at first by impatience with public-health guidelines and then by a growing militance about the central government’s response.
—New York Times, 25 Feb. 2021
Nearly every artist had a go at exalting Zapata for his deep rootedness in native soil as well as for his dashing militance.
—Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2020
That militance was frowned upon by Isaacson and others who favored a civilized political approach.
—BostonGlobe.com, 26 Dec. 2019
Love shows up, even in power struggles where Queen’s militance clashes with Slim’s attempts at being level headed.
—Jasmine Grant, Essence, 3 Dec. 2019
The Great Depression and America’s 1941 entry into WWII posed some complicated challenges to this legacy, as labor militance took a back seat at times of national emergency.
—Kim Kelly, The New Republic, 27 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for militance
Noun
-
At age twelve, Genge began playing rugby and found an outlet for his aggression.—
Vitas Carosella,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
-
The level of aggression of the cancer is determined by the Gleason score and grade system.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
Over the nearly 20 months since the hostilities began, Colin Clarke said there has been a radicalization effect in the U.S., particularly of the political left.—
Odette Yousef,
NPR,
28 May 2025
-
Opposition to the war became hostility toward our own military.—
Arthur I. Cyr,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2025
Noun
-
The indirect impact on elections is a common side effect of labor militancy and mass protest.—
Kevin A. Young,
The Conversation,
18 Mar. 2025
-
Long roiled by Islamist militancy and terror attacks – including a deadly attack on a visiting Sri Lanka cricket team in 2009 – Pakistan has for years been off the roster for international tournaments.—
Sophia Saifi,
CNN,
22 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The look is in stark defiance of a proliferating security mentality in schools to stop active shooters.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2025
-
The Pakistan Crescent Collective made a triumphant return to the Cannes Film Market this week, presenting a powerhouse panel that positioned filmmaking as an act of creative defiance against decades of limiting stereotypes.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Militance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/militance. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share