militant tendency: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Political, Historical
Quick answer
What does “militant tendency” mean?
A strong inclination or disposition towards aggressive, confrontational, or combative action, often for a political or social cause.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A strong inclination or disposition towards aggressive, confrontational, or combative action, often for a political or social cause.
The phrase is most famously associated with the entryist Trotskyist group within the UK Labour Party in the 1970s and 1980s. More broadly, it describes any organized faction or inherent quality within a group that pushes for radical, uncompromising action.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, it is strongly associated with the specific historical political group. In American English, it is used more generically to describe a radical faction.
Connotations
UK: Strongly political, historical, linked to Labour Party history. US: More generic, often implying religious or social extremism alongside political.
Frequency
More frequent in UK English due to its historical/political specificity.
Grammar
How to Use “militant tendency” in a Sentence
[The/An] + ADJ + militant tendency + VERB (to exist/grow/emerge)[Group/Party] + VERB (has/contains/is influenced by) + a militant tendencyVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “militant tendency” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The group sought to *militantly tend* towards direct action.
- (Note: 'militant tendency' is not used as a verb; this is a constructed example showing the root words.)
American English
- They *tended to act militantly* on every issue.
- (Note: 'militant tendency' is not used as a verb.)
adverb
British English
- The group campaigned *with militant tendency*.
American English
- They argued *in a militant-tendency fashion*.
adjective
British English
- The *militant-tendency* faction was expelled from the party.
- He had a *militant-tendency* mindset.
American English
- She was part of the *militant tendency* group within the union.
- Their *militant-tendency* politics alienated moderates.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could be used metaphorically: 'A militant tendency against the new management strategy emerged among senior staff.'
Academic
Used in political science, history, and sociology to describe radical factions within larger movements or parties.
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation. Would be used to describe extreme behaviour in a group.
Technical
Specific term in political discourse and historical analysis of 20th-century socialism.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “militant tendency”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “militant tendency”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “militant tendency”
- Using it to describe an individual (it describes a group/faction).
- Misspelling as 'military tendency'.
- Using it without understanding its strong historical/political connotations.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in mainstream discourse it carries a negative connotation, implying disruptive extremism. The group itself or its supporters would view it positively as 'principled' or 'revolutionary'.
Yes, but rarely and metaphorically. E.g., 'A militant tendency against digitalisation grew among the older employees.' Its primary use remains political.
'Militant' is an adjective describing aggressive behaviour. 'Militant tendency' is a noun phrase referring to an organised faction or a prevailing attitude characterised by that behaviour.
Capitalise 'Militant Tendency' only when referring specifically to the historical British political organisation. Use lower case for the general concept.
A strong inclination or disposition towards aggressive, confrontational, or combative action, often for a political or social cause.
Militant tendency is usually formal, political, historical in register.
Militant tendency: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɪl.ɪ.tənt ˈten.dən.si/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɪl.ə.t̬ənt ˈten.dən.si/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The party was riddled with a militant tendency.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'tendency' to be 'militant' – like soldiers (militants) who have a strong habit (tendency) of being aggressive.
Conceptual Metaphor
POLITICAL DISAGREEMENT IS WAR. The faction is an army (militant) with a directional push (tendency).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'Militant Tendency' a proper noun?