militate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, academic, legal
Quick answer
What does “militate” mean?
To have a significant influence or effect, usually in preventing something or making it less likely.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To have a significant influence or effect, usually in preventing something or making it less likely.
To operate or work (against or for something); to be a powerful factor in preventing or discouraging an outcome.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Slightly more common in British formal writing.
Connotations
Formal, weighty, implies a substantial or decisive factor.
Frequency
Low frequency in both varieties, but consistently used in formal contexts like law, policy, and academia.
Grammar
How to Use “militate” in a Sentence
[Subject] militates against [object/gerund]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “militate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- His lack of experience militates against his promotion.
- The high costs militate in favour of seeking alternative funding.
American English
- Her criminal record militates against getting a security clearance.
- The current data militates against that hypothesis.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in risk assessment reports: 'Market volatility militates against long-term investment.'
Academic
Common in dissertations and policy analysis: 'Historical precedents militate against such a simplistic conclusion.'
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation.
Technical
Used in legal arguments: 'The defendant's prior record militates against leniency.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “militate”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “militate”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “militate”
- Confusing 'militate' with 'mitigate'. (Incorrect: 'The apology militated his anger.')
- Using it without 'against' or 'in favour of'. (Incorrect: 'The cost militates the plan.')
- Using it as a transitive verb.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common mistake is confusing it with 'mitigate' (to make less severe). They are not synonyms.
No, it is almost always used with a prepositional phrase, most commonly 'militate against'. It is an intransitive verb.
No, it is a low-frequency, formal word primarily used in academic, legal, and professional writing. It is rare in everyday speech.
'Militate' means to be a powerful factor against (or for) something. 'Mitigate' means to make something bad less severe, intense, or painful.
To have a significant influence or effect, usually in preventing something or making it less likely.
Militate is usually formal, academic, legal in register.
Militate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɪl.ɪ.teɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɪl.ə.teɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The odds militate against success.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MILITary force that works AGAINST something. MILIT-ate AGAINST.
Conceptual Metaphor
FACTS ARE FORCES (that push for or against an outcome).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'militate' correctly?