dissented; dissenting; dissents
1
: to withhold assent or approval
2
: to differ in opinion
Three of the justices dissented from the majority opinion.
: difference of opinion
heard voices of dissent at the meeting
: such as
a
: religious nonconformity
permitted no dissent from church teachings
b
: a judge's or justice's nonconcurrence with a decision of the majority
especially
: a separate opinion by a judge or justice that differs from the decision of the court
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
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 8 May 2026
The dissenting justices argued that the majority's decision incorrectly broadened the definition of an election to include early voting.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 8 May 2026
Stephen L. Carter, Twin Cities, 8 May 2026
Yet, the courage and determination of lawyers who insist upon proper enforcement of the law, even in corrupt and dictatorial regimes, stand as their own form of powerful dissent.
—Irwin Cotler, Time, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for dissent
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Verb
After all, other physicians might refrain from offering a dissenting perspective for fear of becoming government targets as well.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 8 May 2026
The dissenting justices argued that the majority's decision incorrectly broadened the definition of an election to include early voting.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 8 May 2026
Noun
Justice Kagan, in her dissent joined by Justices Sotomayor and Jackson, offers a cleaner, more persuasive account of the legislative history as showing Congress’s intention of barring at least some practices based on their effect on minority voting, whatever their purpose.
—Stephen L. Carter, Twin Cities, 8 May 2026
Yet, the courage and determination of lawyers who insist upon proper enforcement of the law, even in corrupt and dictatorial regimes, stand as their own form of powerful dissent.
—Irwin Cotler, Time, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for dissent
Cite this Entry
“Dissent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissent. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Legal Definition
dissent
1 of 2 intransitive verb
dis·sent
di-ˈsent 
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
R. C. ClarkNote: 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
dissenter
noun
dissent
2 of 2 noun1
: 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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