militate

Definition

To give force or effect toward; to influence.

Etymology

First attested in 1598; borrowed from Latin mīlitātus, perfect passive participle from mīlitō, see -ate (verb-forming suffix). Semantically from its cognate, French militer.

Example Sentences

• "to militate in favor of a particular result"
• "to militate against the possibility of his election"
• "The 8-ft. singles were pre-eminently express engines, and were not satisfactory on secondary duties where frequent stops were called for, which militated against their being retained in service."