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

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

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

Following the decision, the region saw protests but also witnessed militancy wane and a huge increase in the number of tourists visiting the region.

From BBC • May 6, 2025

Some suffragists favored more militancy, arguing that silence was a sign of weakness, not strength.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling