militancy
Confrontational political stance
Militancy is aggressive pursuit of a cause, typically political or social.
The word carries implications of confrontation and unwillingness to compromise: The union's militancy worried management.
Militant action may involve protests, strikes, or civil disobedience, though the term sometimes shades toward suggesting violence.
Her militancy on environmental issues alienated potential allies.
Pursuit of sweeping change
- fanaticismObsessive, unreasoning dedication
- fundamentalismStrict adherence to core tenets
- zealotryExcessive devotion to beliefs
- sectarianismPrejudiced loyalty to subgroups
ultranationalism · jihadism · terrorism · dogmatism · intolerance · ideologue · indoctrination · martyrdom
Antagonistic disposition toward others
- belligerenceWarlike aggression
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- combativenessInclination toward conflict
pugnacity · bellicosity · truculence · antagonism · assertiveness · forcefulness · ferocity · coercion
Pleading for a cause
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
- demonstrationPublic display of opinion
- campaigningActively pursuing political support
- grassrootsCommon people as political base
organizing · lobbying · civil disobedience · picketing · sit-in · boycott · rally · march
Irregular armed fighter
- insurgentOne who revolts
- rebelAuthority defier
- fighterOne who engages in combat
- combatantOne who fights
mujahideen · warfare · ambush · armed struggle · weapons · underground · cell · training camp
Intense emotional intensity
- ardorIntense emotional warmth
- passionIntense emotional drive
- intensityStrength or force level
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
dedication · devotion · vehemence · determination · conviction · steadfastness · fierceness · fire
radicalism
Pursuit of sweeping change
- fanaticismObsessive, unreasoning dedication
- fundamentalismStrict adherence to core tenets
- zealotryExcessive devotion to beliefs
sectarianism · ultranationalism · jihadism · terrorism · dogmatism · intolerance · ideologue · indoctrination · martyrdom · suicide bombing
hostility
Antagonistic disposition toward others
- belligerenceWarlike aggression
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
combativeness · pugnacity · bellicosity · truculence · antagonism · assertiveness · forcefulness · ferocity · coercion · threats
advocacy
Pleading for a cause
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
- demonstrationPublic display of opinion
- campaigningActively pursuing political support
grassroots · organizing · lobbying · civil disobedience · picketing · sit-in · boycott · rally · march · strike
guerrilla
Irregular armed fighter
combatant · mujahideen · warfare · ambush · armed struggle · weapons · underground · cell · training camp · IRA
fervor
Intense emotional intensity
commitment · dedication · devotion · vehemence · determination · conviction · steadfastness · fierceness · fire · spirit
- hostilityanimosity, hostility, antagonism, belligerence, malice
- resistanceresistance, defiance, resistance fighters, civil resistance, resist
- combativenessaggression, antagonism, belligerence, bellicosity, combativeness
- fanaticismfanaticism, zealotry, zealot, fanatic, extremism
- labor unionsunion dues, trade union, union membership, labor union, union shops
- radicalismradical, extremism, radicalism, fanaticism, zealotry
militancypacifism
Antiwar moral stance
nonviolence · peacefulness · nonaggression · dovishness · antimilitarism
militancymoderation
Avoidance of excess
gradualism · incrementalism · reformism · quietism · passivity
militancygeniality
Warmth of manner
amiability · affability · cordiality · graciousness · friendliness