protest

1 of 2

noun

pro·​test ˈprō-ˌtest 

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

2 of 2

verb

pro·​test prə-ˈtest 

ˈprō-ˌtest,

prō-ˈtest

protested; protesting; protests

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

protester noun

or protestor

prə-ˈte-stər 

ˈprō-ˌte-,

prō-ˈte-

Synonyms

Noun

• challenge
• complaint
• demur
• demurral
• demurrer
• difficulty
• exception
• expostulation
• fuss
• kick
• objection
• question
• remonstrance
• stink

Verb

• affirm
• allege
• assert
• aver
• avouch
• avow
• claim
• contend
• declare
• insist
• maintain
• profess
• purport
• warrant

Choose the Right Synonym for protest

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

Like many other colleges and universities, Harvard drew intense criticism last year for its handling of pro-Palestinian protests and encampments following the start of the Israel-Hamas war, as well as complaints from Jewish alumni and students about antisemitism on campus. —Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 24 May 2025

Students across the country demanded that universities and the federal government sever ties with the Israeli government in protest of its military assaults on Palestinians. —Anna Commander gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025

Verb

Dozens of students protested the changes, which were announced in a Feb. 5 email to Grace Pearson residents. —Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 24 May 2025

Over 40% of homeowners across the U.S. could potentially save $100 or more per year by protesting their assessment value, with median savings of $539 a year, per Realtor.com estimates. —Ana Teresa Solá, CNBC, 24 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing protest

• counter-protest
• under protest

Rhymes for protest

• abreast
• accessed
• addressed
• appressed
• armrest
• arrest
• assessed
• attest
• backrest
• behest
• bequest
• caressed

Kids Definition

protest

1 of 2 noun

pro·​test ˈprō-ˌtest 

: a complaint, objection, or display of unwillingness or disapproval

protest

2 of 2 verb

pro·​test prə-ˈtest 

ˈprō-ˌtest,

prō-ˈtest

1

: to declare positively : assert

protested their innocence

2

a

: to make a protest against

protested the higher tax rate

b

: to object strongly

protest against a new highway

protester noun

or protestor

-ˈtes-tər 

-tes-

Medical Definition

protest

see masculine protest

Legal Definition

protest

noun

pro·​test

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

protest verb