militancy

American  

[mil-i-tuhn-see] / ˈmɪl ɪ tən si /

Sometimes militantness

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.

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of militancy

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

Explanation

Militancy means using violence or aggressiveness, usually to support a cause. Militancy make sense on the battlefield but is unwelcome in the school cafeteria during lunch. So no food fights. The noun militancy comes from militant, "combative, violent, or confrontational," which we can trace back to the Latin miles, or "soldier." When soldiers employ militancy, it makes sense, since they are members of the military, which is all about aggression and combat. Seeing militancy in schools or on city streets is a lot more alarming to most people.

Example Sentences

But the Taliban government has denied any involvement or the use of Afghan territory for militancy.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

Local grievances over alleged human-rights violations and economic concerns have led some young, educated people, including women, to turn to militancy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026

Before moving to Paris, Matthew was a reporter in the Journal's Brussels bureau for seven years, where his coverage ranged from the eurozone economic crisis to Islamist militancy in Europe.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

In the 1930s, union militancy was in place at least four years before the National Labor Relations Act became effective.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2025

There seemed to me something sadly unserious about the militancy.

From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez