objection

noun ob·jec·tion \ əb-ˈjek-shən \

Updated on: 12 Apr 2018

Definition of objection

plural objections

1 : an act of objecting

2 a : a reason or argument presented in opposition

b : a feeling or expression of disapproval

c : a statement of opposition to an aspect of a judicial or other legal proceeding

file an objection to a proposed bankruptcy plan

See objection defined for English-language learners

See objection defined for kids

Examples of objection in a Sentence

My main objection is that some people will have to pay more than others.
He said he had no objection to the plan.

Recent Examples of objection from the Web

Most of the private schools in the paper attributed their lack of school lunches to costs and to the objection of parents who would rather prepare meals for their children.

— jacqueline howard, CNN, "How school lunches measure up in countries around the world," 9 Apr. 2018
The new president was selected through a confidential process over the objection of faculty and staff, although faculty were added to the screening committee after protests.

— justin sayers, The Courier-Journal, "University of Louisville's next president will be announced Tuesday," 3 Apr. 2018
The change affected school districts where the charter school was approved by the state's Charter School Commission over the objections of the local district.

— emily k. coleman, Lake County News-Sun, "Appellate decision for Gurnee, Mundelein school districts could 'definitely have impact' on Prairie Crossing Charter School," 30 Mar. 2018
Based on internal emails and notes, NBC News reported that the program’s abrupt cancellation in July of 2017 was directed by Trump political appointees over the objections of career experts at HHS.

— NBC News, "HHS agrees to protect some funds for teen pregnancy prevention program," 28 Mar. 2018
In the spoof, a male bunny marries another male bunny over the objections of a stink bug judge who has a resemblance to Pence.

— maureen groppe, Indianapolis Star, "Mike Pence's hometown to host its first gay pride festival, with high school senior at helm," 28 Mar. 2018
State Lottery officials approved a proposal Tuesday to move their headquarters to Dorchester over the objections of union leaders, who had pleaded to table the vote and keep the agency in its longtime Braintree home.

— matt stout, BostonGlobe.com, "Lottery approves controversial HQ move to Dorchester," 27 Mar. 2018
For her part, Ives aired a controversial ad that highlighted some of the bills Rauner had signed over the objections of conservatives.

— kim geiger, chicagotribune.com, "Rauner holds small early lead over challenger Ives," 20 Mar. 2018
One potential obstacle to gaining Congolese cobalt is the country’s government, which is ratifying a new mining code over the objections of Glencore and other companies.

— scott patterson, WSJ, "Glencore’s Cobalt Sale Helps China’s Drive to Build Electric Vehicles," 14 Mar. 2018

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

First Known Use of objection

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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objection Synonyms

Synonyms

challenge, complaint, demur, demurral, demurrer, difficulty, exception, expostulation, fuss, kick, protest, question, remonstrance, stink;

Near Antonyms

willingness;

approval, sanction;

acceptance, acquiescence, agreement, assent;

compliance, obedience;

cavil, quibble;

argument, conflict, debate, dispute, quarrel, squabble;

censure, criticism;

defiance, disobedience, rebellion;

distrust, distrustfulness, dubiety, incertitude, indetermination, misdoubt, mistrust, mistrustfulness, reservation, skepticism, suspicion, uncertainty;

qualmishness, unease, uneasiness;

reluctance, unwillingness;

OBJECTION Defined for English Language Learners

objection

noun

Definition of objection for English Language Learners

: a reason for disagreeing with or opposing something : a reason for objecting
law : an act of formally objecting to something during a trial.
—used as an interjection by lawyers during trials when they think something is not fair or proper

OBJECTION Defined for Kids

objection

noun ob·jec·tion \ əb-ˈjek-shən \

Definition of objection for Students

1 : an act of showing disapproval or great dislike

2 : a reason for or a feeling of disapproval Her main objection to the purchase is the price.

Law Dictionary

objection

noun ob·jec·tion

legal Definition of objection

1 : an act or instance of objecting; specifically : a statement of opposition to an aspect of a judicial or other legal proceeding

file an objection to a proposed bankruptcy plan

2 : a reason or argument forming the ground of an objection

Note: Objections at trial are generally made for the purpose of opposing the admission of improper evidence. Such an objection must be made in a timely manner. Objections prevent the jury from seeing or hearing the evidence and preserve the issue for appeal. Objections may also be made on the ground of the opposing counsel's improper methods (as leading a witness) or for other technical reasons.