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. )

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

See trucking company Yellow Corp., which filed for bankruptcy in 2023 in part owing to Mr. O’Brien’s labor militancy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 28, 2025

He says his family has no idea where their other 20-year-old son is, whether he joined militancy, or is even dead or alive.

From BBC • May 2, 2025

This was a departure from the days of decorous protest, and many of the old stalwarts of the ANC were to fade away in this new era of greater militancy.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela