militance
Aggressive advocacy stance
Militance is an aggressive, confrontational stance in pursuit of a cause.
The word implies readiness to fight—not necessarily with weapons, but through forceful advocacy, protest, or resistance: The union's militance won them better contracts.
Militance suggests intensity that goes beyond ordinary activism, often with willingness to disrupt or provoke.
Also spelled militancy.
Antagonistic disposition toward others
- belligerenceWarlike aggression
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
- combativenessInclination toward conflict
- pugnacityInclination to quarrel
bellicosity · ferocity · fierceness · intensity · antagonism · truculence · warlike · hawkishness
Pleading for a cause
- campaigningActively pursuing political support
- demonstrationPublic display of opinion
- marchRhythmic group walk
- boycottOrganized economic protest
sit-in · grassroots · solidarity · civil disobedience · social justice · picketing · strike · direct action
Firmness of purpose
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
- steadfastnessFirm loyal dedication
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
- resoluteFixed in purpose
unflinching · adamant · staunch · unwavering · dogged · relentless · persistent · uncompromising
Capacity to withstand force
- rebellionDefiance of established power
- insubordinationDefying workplace authority
- disobedienceRefusal to follow orders
- noncomplianceFailure to follow requirements
opposition · dissent · nonconformity · refusal · recalcitrance · obstinacy · intransigence · uncompromising
hostility
Antagonistic disposition toward others
- belligerenceWarlike aggression
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
- combativenessInclination toward conflict
pugnacity · bellicosity · ferocity · fierceness · intensity · antagonism · truculence · warlike · hawkishness · saber-rattling
advocacy
Pleading for a cause
- campaigningActively pursuing political support
- demonstrationPublic display of opinion
- marchRhythmic group walk
boycott · sit-in · grassroots · solidarity · civil disobedience · social justice · picketing · strike · direct action · organizing
determination
Firmness of purpose
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
- steadfastnessFirm loyal dedication
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
resolute · unflinching · adamant · staunch · unwavering · dogged · relentless · persistent · uncompromising · single-minded
resistance
Capacity to withstand force
- rebellionDefiance of established power
- insubordinationDefying workplace authority
- disobedienceRefusal to follow orders
noncompliance · opposition · dissent · nonconformity · refusal · recalcitrance · obstinacy · intransigence · uncompromising · intractability
militancepacifism
Antiwar moral stance
nonviolence · peacefulness · nonaggression · antimilitarism · dovishness
militancemoderation
Avoidance of excess
conciliation · diplomacy · compromise · accommodation · cooperation
militancegentleness
Soft, kind demeanor
mildness · geniality · amiability · affability · cordiality