militancy

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "militancy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word to describe a militant attitude or behavior, such as "the protesters' militancy caused a disruption in the city center".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It was a complete change of language," said Baker Atyani, a Palestinian journalist and militancy expert, speaking of the latest video.

The Guardian

Does this all mean that Islamist militancy will simply die away?

The Guardian

Yet ministers are being urged on by Boris Johnson, who is irritated by flea-bite militancy in London's transport system – the impact of which diminishes with every misuse of Tube drivers' power.

The Guardian

Their convenor, Bernie Passingham, a genial, clever communist (played by Bob Hoskins) liked and believed in them and facilitated their militancy.

The Guardian

Though it helped Harold Wilson defeat Edward Heath it fed industrial militancy and led to the winter of discontent and the Labour government's defeat in 1979.

The Guardian

Islamist militancy is a phenomenon going back much further than the foundation of the group al-Qaida by Saudi-born Osama bin Laden in 1988.

The Guardian

But one of the biggest cheers of the day was for Raheel Sharif, the army chief who has developed a reputation as a scourge of militancy, having bounced Pakistan's unwilling government into launching a major military operation last June against Taliban sanctuaries in North Waziristan, a long-festering trouble spot bordering Afghanistan.

The Guardian

I wasn't a student and I wasn't on strike, but one May weekend a group of communist women – we weren't yet feminists – sent off a missive congratulating the dancers for their militancy.

The Guardian

Even militancy is more complicated than it was.

The Guardian - Opinion

There are other reasons to be cautious, including Ebola's impact on healthcare systems in west Africa and Islamist militancy in Nigeria and Somalia, making some areas insecure and hard to reach.

The Guardian

This is where someone appears to be swayed by extremist opinion or thought – which can be far-right politics or other fringe views, as well as Islamist militancy – but is not deemed immediately at risk of criminal behaviour.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "militancy", consider the specific context to ensure it accurately reflects the intensity and nature of the actions or beliefs being described. It often implies a willingness to use confrontational or aggressive tactics.

Common error

Avoid using "militancy" when describing peaceful or non-confrontational forms of activism. Using it inappropriately can misrepresent the nature of the activity and potentially cause offense.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "militancy" is as a noun, representing the quality or state of being militant. Ludwig AI shows that it describes the intensity and readiness to engage in conflict for a cause, as seen in examples like "Islamist militancy" and "union militancy".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "militancy" functions as a noun denoting the quality of being militant, often implying a willingness to use aggressive or confrontational tactics. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it's primarily used in news and formal contexts to describe and analyze movements or behaviors characterized by strong, often disruptive, support for a cause. While grammatically correct and widely used, careful consideration should be given to the context to ensure accurate representation, avoiding its misuse for peaceful activities. Understanding its implications is crucial for precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intense opposition

Emphasizes the strong and passionate nature of resistance.

assertive resistance

Suggests a firm and confident form of opposition.

vigorous resistance

Implies an energetic and determined effort to oppose or withstand something.

combative resistance

Emphasizes the defiant and confrontational aspect of resisting authority or oppression.

radical activism

Indicates activism aimed at fundamental or revolutionary change.

aggressive activism

Highlights the proactive and assertive nature of activism, emphasizing a more forceful approach.

forceful advocacy

Highlights the powerful and determined promotion of a cause or idea.

belligerent opposition

Focuses on the hostile and aggressive stance taken against something.

zealous activism

Suggests a passionate and fervent dedication to a cause, often bordering on fanaticism.

extreme activism

Indicates a level of activism that goes beyond typical or accepted methods.

FAQs

How is "militancy" typically used in a sentence?

"Militancy" is often used to describe the actions or attitudes of groups or individuals who are willing to use aggressive or confrontational tactics to achieve their goals. For example, "The rise of "Islamist militancy" is a global concern".

What are some synonyms for "militancy"?

Depending on the context, synonyms for "militancy" include "aggressiveness", "assertiveness", "combative resistance", and "radical activism".

Is there a difference between "militancy" and "extremism"?

"Militancy" refers to the willingness to use confrontational or aggressive tactics, while "extremism" refers to holding extreme political or religious views. Militancy can be a manifestation of extremism, but not all militants are extremists, and vice versa.

When is it appropriate to use the term "militancy"?

Use "militancy" when describing actions that involve a willingness to use force, aggression, or disruptive tactics to achieve a political or social goal. It's important to use this term accurately to avoid misrepresenting the nature of the activities being described.