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protest

noun pro·test \ ˈprō-ˌtest \
|Updated on: 8 Aug 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

  1. He heard protests from the crowd.

  2. She told him to go to bed despite his protests that he wasn't tired.

  3. There were cries of protest when the verdict was announced.

  4. The suspect surrendered his gun without protest.

  5. She was so upset by their decision that she resigned in protest.

  6. The students launched a protest against the tuition increase.

Recent Examples of protest from the Web

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

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;

Related Words

compunction, doubt, misgiving, qualm, scruple;

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;

2

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

  1. The victim's family protested at the judge's sentence.

  2. There is no use protesting. I will not change my mind.

  3. The coach protested the referee's call.

  4. The decision was protested by dozens of people.

  5. Students protested at the civil rights rally.

  6. They were protesting against the death penalty.

  7. Peace activists protested the war.

  8. She protested that the law was unfair.

  9. “But I'm innocent!” he protested.

Recent Examples of protest from the Web

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

protest Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

deny, gainsay;

Near Antonyms

abandon;

disavow, disclaim, disown, negate, negative, reject, repudiate;

challenge, dispute, question;

confute, disprove, rebut, refute;

contradict, counter;

Related Words

announce, broadcast, proclaim;

argue, rationalize, reason;

confirm, justify, vindicate;

defend, persevere, support, uphold;

reaffirm, reassert;

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

Phrases Related to PROTEST

Related Phrases

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

1

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
2

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
—

protest

verb
— under protest
: with noted objections (as of insufficient payment) and claims
  • cashed a check under protest

Learn More about protest

  1. See words that rhyme with protest Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for protest Spanish Central: Translation of protest Nglish: Translation of protest for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of protest for Arabic speakers

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