militate

[ mil-i-teyt ]

verb (used without object)

, mil·i·tat·ed, mil·i·tat·ing.

1. to have a substantial effect; weigh heavily:

   His prison record militated against him.

2. Obsolete.
   1. to be a soldier.
   2. to fight for a belief.

militate

/ ˈmɪlɪˌteɪt /

verb

1. intr; usually foll by against or for (of facts, actions, etc) to have influence or effect

   the evidence militated against his release

Usage

See mitigate

Confusables Note

See mitigate.

Derived Forms

• ˌmiliˈtation, noun

Other Words From

• mili·tation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of militate¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin mīlitātus (past participle of mīlitāre “to serve as a soldier”), equivalent to mīlit- (stem of mīles ) “soldier” + -ātus verb suffix; -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of militate¹

C17: from Latin mīlitātus, from mīlitāre to be a soldier

Example Sentences

For generations, liberal Catholics have connected their faith’s moral teachings to an egalitarian philosophy that militates against war, economic inequality, environmental degradation and civil rights violations.

From Washington Post

But four overriding realities militate against a GOP return to the White House in 2016 and perhaps for several campaigns beyond.

From The Daily Beast

This seems occasionally to militate against the clearness of the work.

From Project Gutenberg

There are primarily three factors that militate against the original custom of maternal descent.

From Project Gutenberg

Big guns are bad for stream-line, and therefore militate against high submerged speed.

From Project Gutenberg

Passion, in him, comprehended many of the worst emotions which militate against human happiness.

From Project Gutenberg

But first I will examine two cases which might at first sight seem to militate against the principles I have enunciated.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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• mean