German word

militant

Pronunciation

IPA/miliˈtant/

Meaning

  • adjectivemilitant

Example

Eine militante Gruppe hat zu Protesten aufgerufen.

A militant group has called for protests.

Illustration for militant (militant)

More examples

Die Partei distanzierte sich von ihrem militanten Flügel.

The party distanced itself from its militant wing.

Core concept

A combative stance, fist raised, ready to fight by force for a cause.

Common phrases

  • eine militante Gruppe

    a militant group

  • militante Tierschützer

    militant animal rights activists

  • militant auftreten

    act militantly

Similar words

kämpferisch: Having a strong will or attitude to fight.
aggressiv: Hostile and inclined to attack others.
radikal: Extreme in views or actions, aiming to change things at the root.

Definition in German

Bezeichnet eine Haltung oder Gruppe, die ihre politischen oder gesellschaftlichen Ziele kämpferisch und oft auch mit Gewalt durchsetzen will.

Word origin

Militant goes back to Latin militans, the present participle of militare, 'to serve as a soldier, to fight', and came through French militant to describe a readiness to fight for a cause.

Usage tips

  • It is mostly used of political movements and groups and implies a hard line that does not rule out violence; for someone who is merely committed, use engagiert. To refer to a person, use the nominalized der/die Militante.

Other meanings

  • hard-lineadjective

Opposites

  • friedlichpeacefuladjective
  • gewaltfreinonviolentadjective

Related words

  • Militanzmilitancynoun
  • Militantemilitant (person)noun

Word lists with this word