dissent

1 of 2

verb

dis·​sent di-ˈsent How to pronounce dissent (audio)
dissented; dissenting; dissents

intransitive verb

1
: to withhold assent or approval
2
: to differ in opinion
Three of the justices dissented from the majority opinion.

dissent

2 of 2

noun

: difference of opinion
heard voices of dissent at the meeting
: such as
a
: religious nonconformity
permitted no dissent from church teachings
b
law : a justice's nonconcurrence with a decision of the majority
cited an earlier case in her dissent

called also dissenting opinion

c
: political opposition to a government or its policies
attempts to suppress domestic dissent

Examples of dissent in a Sentence

Verb The Supreme Court, with two justices dissenting, ruled that the law was constitutional. anyone who dissented was encouraged to speak out while they had the chance Noun Church leaders permitted no dissent from church teachings. He did everything in his power to suppress political dissent. These dissents come from prominent scientists and should not be ignored. She argued in her dissent that Congress had exceeded its authority.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
In October, the three most conservative justices dissented when the majority temporarily allowed the Biden administration to resume communications with social media companies while the litigation continued. Ann Marimow, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2024 Only two justices, Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas, dissented. David Leonhardt, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dissent 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dissent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English, from Latin dissentire, from dis- + sentire to feel — more at sense

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1585, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dissent was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near dissent

Cite this Entry

“Dissent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissent. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

dissent

1 of 2 verb
dis·​sent dis-ˈent How to pronounce dissent (audio)
: to differ in opinion : disagree

dissent

2 of 2 noun
: difference of opinion

Legal Definition

dissent

1 of 2 intransitive verb
dis·​sent di-ˈsent How to pronounce dissent (audio)
1
: to withhold assent or approval
unfair squeezeout transactions—the kind to which public shareholders seem most likely to dissentR. C. Clark
see also appraisal

Note: A shareholder who dissents from a proposed transaction may demand that the corporation buy his or her shares after an appraisal.

2
: to differ in opinion
especially : to disagree with a majority opinion
three of the justices dissented
compare concur
dissenter noun

dissent

2 of 2 noun
1
: difference of opinion
especially : a judge's disagreement with the decision of the majority
2
: dissenting opinion at opinion
3
: the judge or group of judges that dissent compare majority

More from Merriam-Webster on dissent

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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