as in aggression
an inclination to fight or quarrel the level of militance varied significantly among the activist groups
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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 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 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 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
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 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 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
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Minnesota is playing with aggression.— Troy Renck, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
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Throughout the regular season, Donte DiVincenzo was used to being the one who had to set the tone for Minnesota with his effort and aggression.— Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But coach Bill Self and his assistants wanted more aggressiveness and physicality from the freshman — and said so at multiple points during the season.— Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026
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Colorado’s aggressiveness with trading away draft picks and prospects to help the NHL club’s pursuit of a Stanley Cup has often left the organization’s pipeline thin, but also provides opportunities for undrafted players like Logan O’Connor and Sam Malinski to earn chances and thrive.— Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But the chancellor struggled to imagine how such an end of hostilities could be reached that would satisfy the White House.— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 27 Apr. 2026
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The hostility to literature felt by some of the architects of the Red Scare is well established.— Charlie Tyson, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Pakistan, a nation more frequently making international headlines for its heightened militancy and shaky economy, is hosting the first direct talks between Washington and Tehran, working to end a weeks-long war that has left thousands dead and sent shockwaves across the globe.— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2026
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Through such moves, the line between state security apparatus and settler militancy has become virtually indistinguishable.— Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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That hope is a powerful statement of defiance in the face of the realities of war and the broader sentiment in Israeli and Palestinian public opinion.— Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026
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However, an artist’s innate defiance reaps the best art.— Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Militance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/militance. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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