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pro·test | \ ˈprō-ˌtest 
\
\Definition of protest
(Entry 1 of 2)
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
verbpro·test | \ prə-ˈtest , ˈprō-ˌtest, prō-ˈtest \
, ˈprō-ˌtest, prō-ˈtest \protested; protesting; protests
Definition of protest (Entry 2 of 2)
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
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Other Words from protest
Verb
protester or protestor \ prə-ˈte-stər , ˈprō-ˌte- , prō-ˈte- \ noun
, ˈprō-ˌte- , prō-ˈte- \ nounSynonyms & Antonyms for protest
Synonyms: Noun
- challenge,
- complaint,
- demur,
- demurral,
- demurrer,
- difficulty,
- exception,
- expostulation,
- fuss,
- kick,
- objection,
- question,
- remonstrance,
- stink
Synonyms: Verb
- affirm,
- allege,
- assert,
- aver,
- avouch,
- avow,
- claim,
- contend,
- declare,
- insist,
- maintain,
- profess,
- purport,
- warrant
Antonyms: Verb
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Examples of protest in a Sentence
Noun
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.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun China’s heavily criticized internment of Muslims in Xinjiang, protests in Hong Kong, a grinding trade war with the United States.
—
Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, "The Future of America’s Contest with China," 6 Jan. 2020 Actor Sam Waterston was arrested Friday at Jane Fonda's weekly protest in Washington, D.C.
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Sara M Moniuszko, USA TODAY, "Sam Waterston arrested during Jane Fonda's climate change protest; Fonda avoids arrest," 6 Jan. 2020 So extensive is the reach of its influence that its allies have become integral components of the governments in Iraq and Lebanon, making Iran a target of widespread anti-government protests in recent months.
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Liz Sly, Anchorage Daily News, "Iran has vowed revenge against the U.S. But it seems to be in no hurry.," 5 Jan. 2020 Wang became the first senior official to lose his job after seven months of often-violent protests in the city and a stinging rebuff to pro-Beijing political parties in local elections six weeks ago.
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Keith Bradsher, SFChronicle.com, "China replaces top representative to Hong Kong," 4 Jan. 2020 The pressures have been complicated by widespread protests in Iraq and Iran.
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Nick Wadhams, Fortune, "Iran and U.S. Trade Threats in Fallout From General’s Killing," 4 Jan. 2020 There were no million-man protests in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Iran, of people rushing to the streets.
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Seth J. Frantzman, National Review, "How Will the Iranians Respond?," 4 Jan. 2020 Christian had attended several right-wing protests in the months leading up to that day on the MAX train.
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oregonlive, "A decade in review: the biggest Oregon news of the last 10 years," 31 Dec. 2019 Nearly 600 people have died in anti-government protests in recent months, most of them demonstrators killed by Iraqi security forces.
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Arkansas Online, "U.S. strikes hit Iraqi militia blamed in contractor's death," 30 Dec. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Last year’s unrest started in September, when educated Iraqis took to the streets to protest unemployment and government impotence.
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Adam Weinstein, The New Republic, "The Pinnacle of Trump’s Foreign Policy Stupidity," 3 Jan. 2020 Iran also summoned the Swiss charges d’affaires, who represents U.S. interests in Tehran, to protest the killing.
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Time, "Iran Vows 'Harsh Retaliation' After U.S. Killing of Top General Qasem Soleimani," 3 Jan. 2020 In 1951, Barbara Johns organized a walkout of her African American school to protest the unequal facility conditions and overcrowding.
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NBC News, "Virginia Governor seeks bill replacing Robert E. Lee statue in U.S. Capitol," 2 Jan. 2020 As thousands took to the streets to protest the government this fall, some targeted Iranian interests, even burning down the Iranian Consulate in Karbala in early November.
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Adam Taylor, Washington Post, "Why Iraq is at the center of the dispute between Iran and the United States," 31 Dec. 2019 Kindness is a beneficial trait, but being too nice or too agreeable can stop someone from speaking up to protest bad ideas and bad behavior, like misconduct.
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Craig Wallace, Quartz at Work, "The scientific case for hiring a narcissist," 27 Dec. 2019 Ryan's mother Karen Andresen started a petition to protest the troop's decision, garnering hundreds of thousands of signatures and national media attention.
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Harmeet Kaur, CNN, "10 petitions that made the biggest impact this decade," 22 Dec. 2019 In 2019, students like Carolina Avellaneda, 23, participated in cacerolazos across Latin America to protest government corruption and growing inequality.
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Alice Driver, Longreads, "My Spoon, Your Bullet," 18 Dec. 2019 In Kolkata, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has been known to jump into scandals and seek publicity to benefit herself, led a rally on Dec. 15 to protest the new rule.
—
Barnini Chakraborty, Fox News, "Indian protests erupt as high court postpones hearing challenges to new immigration law," 18 Dec. 2019
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'protest.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for protest
protest
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of protest
(Entry 1 of 2)
: something said or done that shows disagreement with or disapproval of something
: an event at which people gather together to show strong disapproval about something
protest
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of protest (Entry 2 of 2)
: to show or express strong disagreement with or disapproval of something
: to show or express strong disapproval of something at a public event with other people
: to say (something that other people do not agree with or believe) in a forceful way
See the full definition for protest in the English Language Learners Dictionary
protest
verbpro·test | \ prə-ˈtest \
\protested; protesting
Kids Definition of protest
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : to complain strongly about : object to
Fans protested the umpire's decision.
2 : to declare positively : assert He protested his innocence.
protest
nounpro·test | \ ˈprō-ˌtest \
\Kids Definition of protest (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : a complaint or objection against an idea, an act, or a way of doing things
2 : an event in which people gather to show disapproval of something
protest
Medical Definition of protest
— see masculine protest
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protest
nounpro·test
Legal Definition of protest
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
under protest
: with noted objections (as of insufficient payment) and claims
cashed a check under protest
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Time Traveler for protest
The first known use of protest was in the 15th century
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