militancy

Sometimes mil·i·tant·ness

[mil-i-tuhn-see]

noun

1. aggressive activism or combativeness in supporting or agitating for a cause.

   Many labor experts credit the early militancy of the Industrial Workers of the World as leading to the eight-hour work day.

2. the act of engaging or readiness to engage in war or armed aggression.

   In September 1914, Planck signed the "Manifesto of 93 German intellectuals to the civilized world" in support of the growing militancy of Germany.

Other Word Forms

• hypermilitantcy noun
• nonmilitancy noun
• supermilitancy noun
• ultramilitancy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of militancy¹

milit(ant) ( def. ) + -ancy ( def. )

Example Sentences

"It's a very clear demonstration that there's a surge in militancy and that involves a very significant number of people. The government is under pressure and I think it's nervous."

Read more on BBC

The two were married for more than 30 years, sharing a life of political militancy, imprisonment, and governance.

Read more on BBC

Of course, the picture of a Nigerien nuclear power station that Tsivilev has painted poses huge questions - technical, economic and in relation to security in a region notorious for Islamist militancy.

Read more on BBC

Spiritual militancy reflects an aggressive, us-vs.-them mindset that blurs the line between faith and authoritarianism, promoting dominion over society in the name of spiritual warfare.

Read more on Salon

For several years after, the revocation of the region's special status, militancy waned and tourist visits soared.

Read more on BBC