Militate: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Militate verb. To be a strong factor that works against (or, less often, for) something happening.
How to say it
MIL-ih-tayt/ˈmɪlɪteɪt/
3 syllables, stressed on the first (MIL). Forms: militates, militated.
Militate in a sentence
The cost of land militates against building new homes here.
Several factors militated in favour of an early election.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- work against
- count against
- tell against
Usage note
Militate against means work against; mitigate means make less severe. 'Mitigate against' is a common slip: you mitigate a problem, but factors militate against a plan.
Don’t confuse with mitigate
mitigate (verb): To make something bad less severe or painful.
Where militate comes from
From Latin militare, to serve as a soldier.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
Several factors _____ in favour of an early election.
- proscribe
- allude
- militate
Show the answer
militate: Several factors militated in favour of an early election.