What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
combatant
Example
The soldiers on the front lines are considered combatants. [combatant: noun]
Example
He joined the army and became a combatant in the war. [combatant: adjective]
militant
Example
The militant activists protested against the government's policies. [militant: adjective]
Example
The group of militants carried out a series of attacks in the city. [militants: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Militant is more commonly used than combatant in everyday language, especially in discussions about social or political activism. Combatant is more specific and is commonly used in the context of armed conflicts or military operations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between combatant and militant?
Both combatant and militant can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, combatant is more commonly used in formal settings related to military or legal discussions, while militant is often used in informal conversations about activism or social issues.