protest

noun

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

verb

pro·test | \prə-ˈtest,

ˈprō-ˌtest, prō-ˈtest\

protested; protesting; protests

Definition of protest (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Other Words from protest Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about protest

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Choose the Right Synonym for protest

Verb

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

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

William Nguyen, from Houston, Texas, was arrested on June 10 after participating in protests in the southern commercial hub of Ho Chi Minh City against a proposed law on special economic zones that some fear would be dominated by Chinese investors. — Fox News, "Vietnam to try American for disturbing order in protests," 13 July 2018 Barnstaple, which has a population of 21,000, planned a protest. — The Economist, "Donald Trump is greeted by protests across Britain," 13 July 2018 Hart had gained fame when a picture of him hugging a white police officer during a protest went viral. — Joe Heim And Julie Tate, Houston Chronicle, "As Hart children begged for help, system failed them," 12 July 2018 This one referenced a protest of the Trump administration's policy of separating immigrant children from their parents at the border. — Sam Dangremond, Town & Country, "Julia Roberts Spent Her 4th of July Week with the Kennedys in Hyannisport," 5 July 2018 At a leadership retreat last year, organizers decided to spend less time on traditional protests and more on innovative rhetorical campaigns. — Abraham Riesman, Daily Intelligencer, "Can the young activists of IfNotNow change the conversation about Israel and the Palestinians, or will their contradictions hold them back?," 12 July 2018 With that, Trump moved on to Britain, where significant protests against him were expected. — Jonathan Lemire And Jill Colvin, The Christian Science Monitor, "Trump claims NATO allies will up spending," 12 July 2018 Additional, smaller protests are planned in other parts of the city and the country. — Natasha Bach, Fortune, "President Trump Is Making His First Official Visit to the U.K. on Thursday: Here's What You Should Know," 11 July 2018 SportsPulse: Trysta Krick says the NFL's new policy on national anthem protests doesn't help anyone but the owners. — Tom Schad, USA TODAY, "NFLPA files grievance challenging league's new national anthem policy," 10 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

At times thousands of pipeline opponents gathered in the region to protest the $3.8 billion project to move North Dakota oil to Illinois, but the effort didn’t stop the project. — Washington Post, "Woman gets prison for firing gun during pipeline protest," 11 July 2018 Hundreds of activists gathered on the steps of the United States Supreme Court on Monday night to protest Brett Kavanaugh, President Donald Trump's nominee to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy. — Caroline Simon, USA TODAY, "Hundreds protest at the Supreme Court after Trump nominates Kavanaugh," 9 July 2018 More than 100 people gathered at the Gary/Chicago International Airport on Friday to protest its use as a staging ground for deportations. — Meredith Colias-pete, Post-Tribune, "No deportation flight and no police as more than 100 protest at Gary airport," 6 July 2018 Over the weekend, demonstrators in more than 600 cities, including Philadelphia, gathered to protest ICE and the Trump administration’s immigration policies. — Katherine Nails, Philly.com, "ICE: What is Immigration and Customs Enforcement, an agency now under fire," 3 July 2018 Later that morning, Waters stepped up on stage before the tens of thousands gathered in front of City Hall to protest Trump’s immigration policies. — Rosanna Xia, latimes.com, "Rep. Maxine Waters addresses death threats, canceled events in Texas and Alabama: 'We're going to keep fighting for these children'," 30 June 2018 Hundreds of merchants gathered in front of parliament in Tehran on Monday to protest at the rial's fall, witnesses said. — Andrew Torchia, The Christian Science Monitor, "Iran bans over 1,300 imports amid protests over its plunging currency," 26 June 2018 About 200 people gathered in front of the Edward P. Schwartz Federal Building in downtown San Diego on Tuesday to protest the Supreme Court’s decision upholding President Donald Trump’s travel ban. — Gary Warth, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Travel ban sparks downtown demonstration," 26 June 2018 Earlier in the day, about two dozen people gathered to protest outside the Alexandria, Virginia, home of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. — Justin Wm. Moyer And Teo Armus, chicagotribune.com, "Protesters gather at White House, Justice Department to oppose family separations at border," 23 June 2018

These 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.

History and Etymology for protest

Noun

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

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under protest

Statistics for protest

Last Updated

16 Oct 2018

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Time Traveler for protest

The first known use of protest was in the 15th century

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More Definitions for protest

protest

noun

English 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

verb

English Language Learners Definition of protest (Entry 2 of 2)

: to show or express strong disagreement with or disapproval of something ( US )

: to show or express strong disapproval of something at a public event with other people ( US )

: 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

verb

pro·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

noun

pro·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

noun

pro·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