militant
gb/mˈɪlɪtənt/ us/mˈɪlɪtənt/
C1
English
~ 6400
militáns, harcos, küzdő egyház
C1
1
Usage pattern:
a militant [group/movement/campaign/view]
The government has promised a tougher response to militant groups in the region.
A kormány keményebb fellépést ígért a térségben működő militáns csoportokkal szemben.
She became known as a militant campaigner for animal rights.
Harcos állatvédő aktivistaként vált ismertté.
Some members took a more militant stance and called for direct action.
Militant environmental activists blocked the road to the oil refinery.
The party’s militant wing has openly supported street clashes with the police.
Learner examples
The police are worried about militant groups near the border.
A rendőrség aggódik a határ közelében lévő militáns csoportok miatt.
He is a militant animal rights leader who plans strong protests.
Harcos állatvédő vezető, aki erőteljes tiltakozásokat tervez.
Some students want a more militant protest against the new law.
A militant group attacked the army base at night.
The city wants to stop militant activists from using violence.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "militant" with "military". "Military" describes the official armed forces of a country, while "militant" usually describes people or groups fighting strongly for a cause, often seen as extreme or unofficial. Learners may also use "militant" to mean simply "active" or "hard‑working", but it almost always carries a negative or critical tone of being too aggressive.
Meaning
aggressively supporting a cause
Collocations
militant group
|militant wing
|militant movement
|militant campaign
|militant stance
|militant tactics
Synonyms
aggressive (Suggests a forceful, pushy attitude in general, not always linked to politics or a cause.)
|
confrontational (Focuses on willingness to face and challenge opponents directly, not necessarily with violence.)
|
radical (Emphasizes extreme ideas or goals; does not always imply the same level of forceful action as "militant".)
Antonyms
moderate (Implies holding or using less extreme, more balanced methods or opinions.)
|
peaceful (Stresses non-violent, calm methods rather than forceful or aggressive ones.)
Themes
politics
|conflict
|society
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very active and hard in fighting for a political or social idea, often in a strong or even violent way.
Very active and determined in supporting a political or social cause, especially in a forceful, confrontational, or possibly violent way.
NOUN
C1
2
militáns
C1
Usage pattern:
a militant [did/claimed/attacked]
Militants attacked the army checkpoint just before dawn.
A militánsok közvetlenül hajnal előtt megtámadták a hadsereg ellenőrzőpontját.
Security forces arrested three suspected militants near the border.
A biztonsági erők három feltételezett militánst vettek őrizetbe a határ közelében.
The militants claimed responsibility for the bombing in an online statement.
Dozens of militants surrendered after talks with community leaders.
Officials say the area is controlled by Islamist militants linked to the group.
Learner examples
The army is fighting militants in the mountains.
A hadsereg a hegyekben harcol a militánsok ellen.
Police caught two militants after the attack.
A rendőrség a támadás után elfogott két militánst.
The news says militants burned several cars last night.
Many people left the town because militants were moving in.
The government wants militants to put down their weapons and talk.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "militant" to mean any "soldier" or "member of the army". In news English, a "militant" is usually seen as part of a non‑state, unofficial, or extremist group, not a regular government soldier. Another mistake is using "militant" for any strong political supporter; in many contexts it suggests someone viewed as too extreme or violent.
Meaning
person using extreme methods
Collocations
Islamist militants
|armed militants
|suspected militants
|left-wing militants
|pro-government militants
|militant leaders
Synonyms
extremist (Focuses more on very extreme beliefs; does not always imply active fighting or violence as directly as "militant".)
|
insurgent (Usually refers to armed fighters rising against a government, slightly narrower than the broader political or religious "militant".)
|
hardliner (Stresses refusal to compromise; may not always suggest direct involvement in violent action.)
Antonyms
civilian (Highlights someone not involved in armed or militant activity, especially not part of a fighting group.)
|
moderate (Describes a person with less extreme views and methods, willing to avoid violence or compromise.)
|
pacifist (Someone who opposes all violence and war, the opposite of a person willing to fight for a cause.)
Themes
politics
|conflict
|security
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A person who fights very strongly for a political or social idea, often as part of a group that may use violence.
A person who is very active and determined in supporting a political or social cause, especially someone in an armed or extreme group who may use violence.
C2
LITERARY
3
küzdő egyház
C2
Usage pattern:
the Church Militant
In older theological writing, the Church Militant is contrasted with the Church Triumphant.
A régebbi teológiai írásokban a küzdő egyházat a diadalmas egyházzal állítják szembe.
The hymn celebrates the victories of the Church Militant over sin and darkness.
Az ének a küzdő egyház bűn és sötétség fölött aratott győzelmeit ünnepli.
Some sermons spoke of Christians as soldiers in the Church Militant.
Learner examples
Some old books talk about the Church Militant and the Church Triumphant.
Néhány régi könyv a küzdő egyházról és a diadalmas egyházról beszél.
In this religious idea, the Church Militant is the church on earth.
Ebben a vallási felfogásban a küzdő egyház a földön élő egyház.
The priest used the old term "Church Militant" in his sermon.
Meaning
of Christians struggling on earth
Collocations
the Church Militant
|militant church
|state of the Church Militant
Synonyms
earthly (church) (Refers to the church on earth; does not carry the same specific idea of spiritual "struggle" as "militant" in this theological sense.)
Antonyms
Church Triumphant (The traditional Christian term for believers in heaven, contrasted with the struggling believers of the "Church Militant" on earth.)
Themes
religion
Definition
(Formal religious use) About Christians living on earth, seen as fighting a spiritual battle against sin and evil.
(In Christian theology) Relating to Christians on earth, understood as engaged in a spiritual struggle against sin and evil, as in the phrase "the Church Militant".
Grammar
Dictionary form
militant
IPA
GB/mˈɪlɪtənt/
US/mˈɪlɪtənt/
Syllables & stress
mil - it - ant (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (mil)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: militant
Noun
- Base: militant
- Plural: militants
Word family
Forms
militants
noun
Core family
militancy
noun
militantly
adverb
Related words
Advanced or less common
militarize
verb
militarization
noun C1
Expressions
militant feminist
1/mˈɪlɪtənt fˈɛmɪnɪst/
fixed phrase
very aggressive feminist activist
A feminist who fights for women’s rights in a very strong, hard, or extreme way, sometimes seen as too aggressive.
Examples
- She was labeled a militant feminist by her critics in the press.
- Some militant feminists called for a boycott of the company.
- The book was written from the point of view of a militant feminist activist.
militant group
1/mˈɪlɪtənt ɡɹˈup/
fixed phrase
group using extreme methods
A political or religious group that is ready to use strong, often violent, action to reach its goals.
Examples
- The army launched an operation against a militant group near the border.
- Several militant groups claimed responsibility for the attack.
- Talks between the government and the militant group collapsed last week.
militant organization
1/mˈɪlɪtənt ˌɔɹɡənəzˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
extremist or armed organization
A political, religious, or social group that uses very strong or violent actions to reach its goals.
Examples
- The country has banned several militant organizations operating in the region.
- Militant organizations often use social media for recruitment.
- Police are investigating links between the suspect and a foreign militant organization.
militant wing
1/mˈɪlɪtənt wˈɪŋ/
fixed phrase
armed or extreme faction of group
The part of a larger group or party that supports or uses very strong, often violent, action.
Examples
- The party’s militant wing rejected any compromise with the government.
- The militant wing later broke away and formed a separate organization.
- Talks were held with moderate leaders, but not with the militant wing.
the Church Militant
1/ðə t͡ʃˈɚt͡ʃ mˈɪlɪtənt/
fixed phrase
literary
Christians on earth in struggle
(Formal religious phrase) All Christians living on earth, seen as fighting a spiritual battle against sin and evil.
Examples
- The sermon contrasted the Church Militant on earth with the Church Triumphant in heaven.
- In medieval theology, the Church Militant played a central role in the believer’s life.
- The writer uses the idea of the Church Militant to describe Christians as spiritual soldiers.