protest

1 of 3

noun (1)

pro·​test ˈprō-ˌtest 

1

: a solemn declaration of opinion and usually of dissent: such as

a

: a sworn declaration that payment of a note or bill has been refused and that all responsible signers or debtors are liable for resulting loss or damage

b

: a declaration made especially before or while paying that a tax is illegal and that payment is not voluntary

2

: the act of objecting or a gesture of disapproval

resigned in protest

especially : a usually organized public demonstration of disapproval

3

: a complaint, objection, or display of unwillingness usually to an idea or a course of action

went under protest

4

: an objection made to an official or a governing body of a sport

protest

2 of 3

verb

pro·​test prə-ˈtest 

ˈprō-ˌtest, 

prō-ˈtest

protested; protesting; protests

transitive verb

1

: to make solemn declaration or affirmation of

protest my innocence

2

: to execute or have executed a formal protest against (something, such as a bill or note)

3

: to make a statement or gesture in objection to

protested the abuses of human rights

intransitive verb

1

: to make a protestation

2

: to make or enter a protest

protester noun

or protestor

prə-ˈte-stər 

ˈprō-ˌte-, 

prō-ˈte-

protester

3 of 3

noun (2)

pro·​test·​er

prəˈtestə(r), 

(ˈ)prō¦t-

plural -s

1

obsolete : one that makes an affirmation

state with ordinary oaths my love to every new protester

—Shakespeare

2

: one that disagrees or disapproves

all their friends were protesters and rebels and seceders

—H. G. Wells

even the town protester thinks of things he would have liked in school

—Education Digest

3

usually capitalized : one of a party among the Covenanters that protested against the resolution of 1650 that all persons not professed enemies to the Covenant or excommunicated should be allowed to serve in the army compare resolutioner

4

: one that protests a bill of exchange or a note

Synonyms of protest

Noun (1)

• objection
• complaint
• exception

Verb

• insist
• allege
• claim
• assert
• declare
• contend

Choose the Right Synonym for protest

assert, declare, affirm, protest, avow mean to state positively usually in anticipation of denial or objection.

assert implies stating confidently without need for proof or regard for evidence.

asserted that modern music is just noise

declare stresses open or public statement.

declared her support for the candidate

affirm implies conviction based on evidence, experience, or faith.

affirmed the existence of an afterlife

protest emphasizes affirming in the face of denial or doubt.

protested that he really had been misquoted

avow stresses frank declaration and acknowledgment of personal responsibility for what is declared.

avowed that all investors would be repaid in full

Examples of protest in a Sentence

Noun (1)

He heard protests from the crowd.

She told him to go to bed despite his protests that he wasn't tired.

There were cries of protest when the verdict was announced.

The suspect surrendered his gun without protest.

She was so upset by their decision that she resigned in protest.

The students launched a protest against the tuition increase.

Verb

The victim's family protested at the judge's sentence.

There is no use protesting. I will not change my mind.

The coach protested the referee's call.

The decision was protested by dozens of people.

Students protested at the civil rights rally.

They were protesting against the death penalty.

Peace activists protested the war.

She protested that the law was unfair.

“But I'm innocent!” he protested.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

There have been previous protests at G7 gatherings over the years, with many demonstrators using the summits to speak out against capitalism, globalization, climate change and inequality. —Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026

Organizers of the protest printed a handbook for demonstrators that included a map of the security perimeter, tips on how to gear up for the march, and advice on how to behave if detained by police. —Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026

Verb

Iranian Americans are torn over Iran’s participation in the World Cup, as some community members plan to watch today’s match and others plan to protest outside the stadium where the team will play. —Andrew Greif, NBC news, 16 June 2026

Governments are increasingly unwilling to accept one-sided arrangements, nor are their citizens — Kenyans have been protesting against plans for a US Ebola center in one of its cities. —Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 15 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from protester

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French protester, from Latin protestari, from pro- forth + testari to call to witness — more at pro-, testament

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing protest

• counter-protest
• under protest

Rhymes for protest

• abreast
• accessed
• addressed
• appressed
• armrest
• arrest
• assessed
• attest
• backrest
• behest
• bequest
• caressed

Kids Definition

protest

1 of 2 noun

pro·​test ˈprō-ˌtest 

: a complaint, objection, or display of unwillingness or disapproval

protest

2 of 2 verb

pro·​test prə-ˈtest 

ˈprō-ˌtest, 

prō-ˈtest

1

: to declare positively : assert

protested their innocence

2

a

: to make a protest against

protested the higher tax rate

b

: to object strongly

protest against a new highway

protester noun

or protestor

-ˈtes-tər 

-tes-

Medical Definition

protest

see masculine protest

Legal Definition

protest

noun

pro·​test

1

: a solemn declaration of opinion and usually of disagreement: as

a

: a solemn written declaration by a notary public or U.S. consul on behalf of the holder of an instrument (as a note) announcing dishonor and declaring the liability of all parties to the instrument for any loss or damage arising from such action

also : the action of making or causing to be made such a declaration with due service of notice of dishonor

b

: a declaration made by the master of a ship before a notary, consul, or other authorized officer upon arrival in port after a disaster declaring that any loss was not the fault of the crew but due to the disaster

c

: a declaration made by a party especially before or while paying a tax or performing a demanded act by which the declarer asserts that the justice or legality of the tax or act is disputed and that compliance is not voluntary

2

: the act of objecting or a gesture of disapproval

especially : a usually organized public demonstration of disapproval

protest verb