militate
/ˈmɪlɪteɪt/verb
no obj.(militate against)
- (of a fact or circumstance) be a powerful or conclusive factor in preventing（事实或情况）产生阻止作用, 产生不利影响：
these fundamental differences will militate against the two communities coming together.
这些根本分歧将阻止两个团体走到一起。
USAGE
The verbs militate and mitigate are often confused. See usage at MITIGATE.
词源
late 16th cent.: from Latin militat- 'served as a soldier'， from the verb militare, from miles, milit- 'soldier'.