dissent

play

verb dis·sent \ di-ˈsent \

Definition of dissent

intransitive verb

1 :to withhold assent or approval

2 :to differ in opinion

Three of the justices dissented from the majority opinion.

See dissent defined for English-language learners

See dissent defined for kids

Examples of dissent in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of dissent from the Web

Removing Trump from office via the impeachment process would not make Clinton his successor: that would be his handpicked running mate Mike Pence, who has not uttered a public word dissenting from anything the Boss has done.

— ed kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "No, Impeaching Trump Would Not Reverse the 2016 Elections," 24 Aug. 2017
His termination has set off a firestorm, as he and his supporters, including the likes of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, want to make this controversy about free speech and the supposed silencing of dissenting views.

— bryce covert, Cosmopolitan, "The Viral Google Memo Is About the Stereotypes That Hold Women Back," 9 Aug. 2017
When, some years ago, the AFL-CIO advocated trade restraint, the carpenters’ and Teamsters unions dissented.

— milton ezrati, National Review, "Globalization Can Be Good for American Workers," 7 Aug. 2017
The Common Council voted 8-1 to approve the resolution, with Councilman Robert Markovich, D-At large, dissenting.

— craig lyons, Post-Tribune, "Hammond commits $450K to South Shore expansion," 25 July 2017
The bill (HB 653), which passed the Legislature with only one dissenting vote, dealt with requirements for retrofitting high-rise condominium buildings with fire sprinklers and other types of safety systems.

— jim saunders, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Gov. Scott vetoes bill easing fire-protection requirements for condos," 27 June 2017
Conservative Justices Neil Gorsuch, Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented, saying the lower court decision should not have been reversed.

— lawrence hurley, Alaska Dispatch News, "Supreme Court to hear baker’s religious objection to making cake for gay couple," 26 June 2017
Board member Jennifer Paoletti cast the lone dissenting vote, arguing that the issue needed further discussion and that talks should have included parents and the community.

— pioneer press, chicagotribune.com, "Norridge District 80 students to see steep fee hike next year," 26 June 2017
The two dissenting votes came from Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "U.S. Supreme Court sides with religious institutions in major church-state decision," 26 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dissent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of dissent

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

dissent Synonyms

Synonyms

differ, disagree, nonconcur

Antonyms

agree, assent, concur

Related Words

clash, collide, conflict, contrast; counter, debate, object, oppose, protest, resist; contest, dispute; argue, bicker, fall out, quarrel

Near Antonyms

accede, accept, acquiesce, comply, consent, defer, subscribe; affiliate, ally, associate, collaborate, collude, come round, compromise, cooperate, get along, side

dissent

noun

Definition of dissent

: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

See dissent defined for English-language learners

Examples of dissent in a Sentence

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 of dissent from the Web

The junta that seized control of Thailand has since suppressed dissent and banned political gatherings of more than five people.

— kaweewit kaewjinda and todd pitman, chicagotribune.com, "Thai military ruler says authorities searching for ex-prime minister," 25 Aug. 2017
India has a lot of experience with political coalitions and dissent and problems.

— krishnadev calamur, The Atlantic, "Trump and the Pakistan Problem," 22 Aug. 2017
Terrorism is often bound up with dissent against our country and our government’s policies.

— andrew c. mccarthy, National Review, "Let Virginia Prosecute the Charlottesville Terrorism," 14 Aug. 2017
Cabello is not, however, among the 30 Venezuelan officials — including Maduro himself — whom the Trump administration has recently placed under financial sanctions for undermining democracy, engaging in corruption and repressing dissent.

— patricia mazzei, miamiherald, "Powerful Venezuelan lawmaker may have issued death order against Rubio," 13 Aug. 2017
Increasing criminalization of marijuana use during the early twentieth century was similarly premised on racialized stereotypes targeting Mexican immigrants, fears of racial mixing, and suppression of political dissent.

— Longreads, "The War on Drugs Is a War on Women of Color," 3 Aug. 2017
For those in D.C., however, this recent deluge of dissent has not been a welcome change.

— maggie mallon, Glamour, "These Are the Women Who Spent Months Fighting the GOP's Health Care Bill," 21 July 2017
Apparently, appeals to patriotism can only be held by card- carrying Republican, and only certain Republicans at that, not the kind of Republicans who might dissent from the soft-money ethics of a tired party establishment.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "John McCain and I Have Shared a Laugh About Washington," 20 July 2017
And finally, a look toward Jon Snow (Kit Harington), newly King of the North, but possibly already facing dissent in his ranks.

— katey rich, HWD, "Game of Thrones Season 7 Episode Titles: It’s All About Daenerys," 7 July 2017

Origin and Etymology of dissent

see ¹dissent

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1585

See Words from the same year

dissent Synonyms

Synonyms

conflict, disaccord, discordance, discordancy, disharmony, dissension (also dissention), discord, dissidence, dissonance, disunion, disunity, division, friction, infighting, inharmony, schism, strife, variance, war, warfare

Antonyms

accord, agreement, concord, concordance, harmony, peace

Near Antonyms

concurrence, cooperation

DISSENT Defined for English Language Learners

dissent

play

verb

Definition of dissent for English Language Learners

: to publicly disagree with an official opinion, decision, or set of beliefs

dissent

noun

Definition of dissent for English Language Learners

: public disagreement with an official opinion, decision, or set of beliefs
law : a statement by a judge giving reasons why the judge does not agree with the decision made by the other judges in a court case

DISSENT Defined for Kids

dissent

play

verb dis·sent \ di-ˈsent \

Definition of dissent for Students

dissented; dissenting

:disagree 1

Mom suggested eating out, but Dad dissented.

—

dissenter

noun

dissent

noun

Definition of dissent for Students

:difference of opinion

The class voted without dissent for a field trip.

Law Dictionary

dissent

play

intransitive verb dis·sent \ di-ˈsent \

legal Definition of dissent

1 :to withhold assent or approval

unfair squeezeout transactions—the kind to which public shareholders seem most likely to dissent
—R. 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

noun

legal Definition of dissent

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

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dissent

Definition of dissent

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Origin and Etymology of dissent

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DISSENT Defined for English Language Learners

dissent

Definition of dissent for English Language Learners

dissent

Definition of dissent for English Language Learners

DISSENT Defined for Kids

dissent

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dissenter

dissent

Definition of dissent for Students

Law Dictionary

dissent

legal Definition of dissent

dissenter

dissent

legal Definition of dissent

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