protest

noun pro·test \ ˈprō-ˌtest \

|Updated on: 13 Jun 2018

Definition of protest

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

See protest defined for English-language learners

See protest defined for kids

Examples of protest in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of protest from the Web

The boys had heard about the protests along Gaza’s border with Israel.

— alexandra zavis, latimes.com, "In Gaza, a 12-year-old amputee holds on to his dreams," 8 June 2018
The Jerusalem Day protests are being held each year on the last Friday of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

— fares akram, chicagotribune.com, "Israeli troops wound hundreds of Palestinians in latest protest at Gaza border," 8 June 2018
But Donald Trump just admitted that everyone in the crowd booing the protests were all wrong.

— michael harriot, The Root, "Donald Trump Admits the NFL Protests Actually Worked," 8 June 2018
The activists who staged the protest at the AMA meeting in 1968 hoped that the organization would finally recognize health as a human right.

— jonathan michels, STAT, "Is this the year the AMA finally joins the single-payer movement?," 8 June 2018
That brings to at least 127 the number of people who have been slaughtered since protests began in April against the authoritarian rule of President Daniel Ortega.

— The Economist, "Politics this week," 7 June 2018
Although prompted by the protest over Maven, the guidelines posted Thursday address a much broader range of concerns.

— tom simonite, WIRED, "Google Sets Limits on Its Use of AI, but Allows Defense Work," 7 June 2018
The protests held in reaction to this event did not just spark the gay rights movement in Cincinnati; this event was a catalyst for the gay rights movement on an international scale.

— madeline mitchell, Cincinnati.com, "Year 45 of Cincinnati Pride: Events coming up for Pride Month," 6 June 2018
On Wednesday, which was Mothers’ Day in Nicaragua, mothers of the victims had organized a protest march along main streets in the capital, Managua.

— Washington Post, "Nicaragua march ends in shooting amid calls for early vote," 30 May 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.

Origin and Etymology of protest

Middle English, from protester

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

protest Synonyms

Synonyms

challenge, complaint, demur, demurral, demurrer, difficulty, exception, expostulation, fuss, kick, objection, 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;

protest

verb pro·test \ prə-ˈtest , ˈprō-ˌtest , prō-ˈtest \

Definition of protest

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

or protestor play \prə-ˈte-stər, ˈprō-ˌte-, prō-ˈte-\ noun

See protest defined for English-language learners

Examples of protest in a Sentence

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 of protest from the Web

Coal miners from the Kayenta Mine protested at the state Capitol on Wednesday and attended the board meeting of the Central Arizona Water Conservation District, asking the board to put the vote on hold for three months.

— ryan randazzo, azcentral, "Despite protests from Navajo miners, Central Arizona Project approves power deal," 7 June 2018
Iran protested to administration officials, but transfer into dollars never took place.

— john bacon, USA TODAY, "Obama administration gave Iran secret access to U.S. financial system, GOP says," 6 June 2018
On Friday, thousands of Americans protested Trump’s new policy during events in 30 cities across the country.

— ted slowik, Daily Southtown, "Slowik: We must demand Trump stop separating children from families," 2 June 2018
About 50 people protested outside of the federal building in downtown San Diego on Friday to condemn reports of migrant families being separated at the U.S. border.

— kate morrissey, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Protesters rally outside San Diego ICE office, condemn family separation," 1 June 2018
Reid, a safety who played college football at LSU, protested during the anthem during the 2016 and 2017 seasons.

— christopher dabe, NOLA.com, "Donald Trump to Jerry Jones on anthem protests, 'You can't win this one': report," 30 May 2018
Last year, animal rights groups protested after the Oregon Court of Appeals upheld a decision by a state judge requiring a couple to have their Tibetan mastiffs debarked.

— lisa gutierrez, kansascity, "Breeder 'debarked' dogs by shoving a pipe down their throats, Penn. authorities say," 30 May 2018
The Indiana University business major protested outside President Trump's recent appearance in Mr. Aguilera's home of Elkhart, Ind.

— steve peoples and emily swanson, The Christian Science Monitor, "New poll finds that young people feel more politically empowered," 30 May 2018
High school students in Washington, DC. protested at the Capitol on Friday.

— jen kirby, Vox, "Parkland activists respond to Santa Fe school shooting: “You didn’t deserve this”," 19 May 2018

Origin and Etymology of protest

Middle English, from Anglo-French protester, from Latin protestari, from pro- forth + testari to call to witness — more at pro-, testament

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

protest Synonyms

Phrases

put forth;

Synonym Discussion of 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

PROTEST Defined for English Language Learners

protest

noun

Definition of protest for English Language Learners

: 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

Definition of protest for English Language Learners

: 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

PROTEST Defined for Kids

protest

verb pro·test \ prə-ˈtest \

Definition of protest for Students

protested; protesting

1 : to complain strongly about : object to

Fans protested the umpire's decision.

2 : to declare positively : assert

He protested his innocence.

—

protester

\prə-ˈte-stər, ˈprō-ˌte-stər\ noun

protest

noun pro·test \ ˈprō-ˌtest \

Definition of protest for Students

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

Medical Dictionary

protest

medical Definition of protest

— see masculine protest

Law Dictionary

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

—