How Do You Spell MILITATE?

Pronunciation: [mˈɪlɪtˌe͡ɪt] (IPA)

"Militate", spelled with a long "i" and pronounced as /ˈmɪlɪteɪt/ or MIL-i-tayt, means to have a significant effect or influence on something. The word originates from the Latin word "militare" which means "to serve as a soldier". Despite its origins, the word has evolved to become more commonly used in a non-military context, to describe how a particular issue or factor can hinder or help the achievement of a goal. The spelling of "militate" reflects the word's Latin roots and its pronunciation emphasizes the stressed syllable (MIL).

MILITATE Meaning and Definition

  1. Militate is a verb that refers to the act of having a substantial influence or having a strong effect against someone or something. It is derived from the Latin word "militare," which means to serve as a soldier or to engage in warfare.

    In its figurative sense, militate is often used to describe situations where something acts as a significant obstacle or opposing force that hampers the success or achievement of a particular outcome or goal. When something militates against a specific objective, it implies that it poses a significant challenge or hinderance, making it difficult or unlikely to achieve the desired result.

    The term is commonly used to indicate factors or circumstances that work against a particular endeavor or objective. For instance, in a political context, numerous factors such as public opinion, legal constraints, or economic conditions may militate against the successful implementation of a policy proposal.

    Militate emphasizes the presence of substantial opposition or impediments, indicating that the factors or circumstances involved are robust or forceful in their resistance. It implies a strong influence or impact that serves as a barrier or deterrent, making success more challenging to attain.

    Overall, militate portrays the concept of counteracting forces, making it a useful term to express how influential factors or circumstances present challenges or difficulties in achieving specific goals or outcomes.

  2. To operate unfavourably; to act in opposition, followed by against.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for MILITATE

Etymology of MILITATE

The word militate has its origins in the Latin language. It is derived from the Latin verb militare, which means to serve as a soldier or to engage in warfare. This verb is derived from the Latin noun miles, meaning soldier. Over time, militare evolved into militate in English, acquiring a figurative meaning of to have a significant influence or effect or to work against something.

Idioms with the word MILITATE

  • militate against The idiom "militate against" means to have a significant negative effect or influence on something, making it extremely challenging or impossible to achieve or succeed. It implies that certain factors or circumstances create obstacles or hinder the desired outcome.
  • militate against sth The idiom "militate against something" means to act as a hindrance or obstacle to something, making it less likely to happen or succeed. It refers to conditions or factors that work against a particular outcome or goal.

Conjugate verb Militate

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have militated
you would have militated
he/she/it would have militated
we would have militated
they would have militated
I would have militate
you would have militate
he/she/it would have militate
we would have militate
they would have militate

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been militating
you would have been militating
he/she/it would have been militating
we would have been militating
they would have been militating

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would militate
you would militate
he/she/it would militate
we would militate
they would militate

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be militating
you would be militating
he/she/it would be militating
we would be militating
they would be militating

FUTURE

I will militate
you will militate
he/she/it will militate
we will militate
they will militate

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be militating
you will be militating
he/she/it will be militating
we will be militating
they will be militating

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have militated
you will have militated
he/she/it will have militated
we will have militated
they will have militated

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been militating
you will have been militating
he/she/it will have been militating
we will have been militating
they will have been militating

IMPERATIVE

you militate
we let´s militate

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to militate

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was militating
you were militating
he/she/it was militating
we were militating
they were militating

PAST PARTICIPLE

militated

PAST PERFECT

I had militated
you had militated
he/she/it had militated
we had militated
they had militated

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been militating
you had been militating
he/she/it had been militating
we had been militating
they had been militating

PRESENT

I militate
you militate
he/she/it militates
we militate
they militate

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am militating
you are militating
he/she/it is militating
we are militating
they are militating

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

militating

PRESENT PERFECT

I have militated
you have militated
he/she/it has militated
we have militated
they have militated

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been militating
you have been militating
he/she/it has been militating
we have been militating
they have been militating

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it militate

SIMPLE PAST

I militated
you militated
he/she/it militated
we militated
they militated

Infographic

Add the infographic to your website: