militant
/ˈmɪl.ɪ.tənt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmɪl.ə.tənt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmi-lə-tənt/ (ame, mw) · /ˈmɪlɪtənt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmɪlɪtənt/ (ame, ipa)
militant — adjective
- militantpositive
- more militantcomparative
- most militantsuperlative
1. strongly supporting a cause or belief in a way that is forceful and often aggres
strongly supporting a cause or belief in a way that is forceful and often aggressive, with a clear willingness to take confrontational action in public
Obi and his <hl>militant</hl> supporters occupied the town hall to protest the new mining permit.
occupying a building for protest
The newspaper criticised Gabriela's <hl>militant</hl> methods, but she argued that peaceful appeals had failed.
describing methods or tactics
Wei grew more <hl>militant</hl> after the factory closed, organising weekly blockades outside the company gates.
Anong's <hl>militant</hl> approach divided her environmental group into backers and those who wanted quieter tactics.
- aggressive
broader term; can apply to sports, business, or personal behaviour without a political cause
- combative
emphasises verbal readiness to argue or fight, often in face-to-face settings
- hardline
focuses on an uncompromising policy position rather than confrontational action
用法筆記
Commonly used in news reporting and political commentary. Carries a generally negative connotation in mainstream contexts, but may be used positively within a movement itself. The adjective can describe degrees of confrontational activism that stop short of physical violence, whereas the noun form more strongly implies readiness to use force.
常見錯誤
militant — noun
- militantsingular
- militantsplural
1. a person who adopts forceful, often aggressive methods to pursue political or so
a person who adopts forceful, often aggressive methods to pursue political or social goals, typically prepared to use physical force when needed
The <hl>militants</hl> took control of the radio station to broadcast their message across the region.
plural noun as subject of forceful action
Aarav was known as a <hl>militant</hl> in the student movement, frequently clashing with campus security.
preposition: militant in + movement
Police arrested several <hl>militants</hl> who had been planning an attack on the railway line.
The government refused to negotiate with the <hl>militants</hl>, calling their demands unreasonable.
- pacifist
someone who opposes war and violence as a matter of principle
用法筆記
Frequently appears in news coverage of political conflict, armed insurgencies, and protest movements. The term implies a willingness to break laws or use physical force, distinguishing it from a general activist or campaigner. Can be used as a countable noun (a militant / two militants).