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

Two relatives of Israeli hostages were arrested last month during a protest outside the defense ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv, staged after the Israeli delegation holding indirect hostage negotiations with Hamas left talks in Qatar without a deal. —Alex Marquardt, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024

The tone of Friday's rally was similar, with a man holding a photo of Khomeini during the protest. —Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 10 Apr. 2024

Reed’s death has once again reignited debate and anger over police brutality and excessive use of force in the United States, prompting protests outside a Chicago police station this week, with activists, residents and family members calling for justice. —Jennifer Hassan, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024

There have also been many other protests and rallies around the nation and worldwide calling for a cease-fire in Gaza. —Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2024

People who have seen his videos on social media have reached out to him and asked to join him on his protests. —Dylan Wickman, The Arizona Republic, 9 Apr. 2024

Satanic Temple previously targeted via bomb threat, arson Over the past several years, Procopio said, the building has been a target of protests, bomb threats and an arson. —USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2024

Guard members were also deployed to help protect the Wisconsin Capitol in 2020 and 2021 during protests. —Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2024

The music video features clips of the American flag burning, protests and looting. —Kimberly Nordyke, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Apr. 2024

Verb

As teenagers across the country organized to protest gun violence in the wake of the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School shootings, Zion teamed up with them. —Rhitu Chatterjee, NPR, 10 Apr. 2024

American civil libertarians of the past once understood that inherent in the right to protest was the obligation to respect the right of people with differing views to protest as well. —Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2024

About 50 activists calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Gaza war were arrested Tuesday after protesting in the Senate cafeteria around lunchtime. —Ellie Silverman, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024

When Wiig protested at Gosling’s premature Five-Timers jacket, Michaels nodded at Gosling not to worry about it. —Michael Schneider, Variety, 7 Apr. 2024

Gumbleton was arrested in 1987 for protesting at a nuclear testing site in Nevada. —Georgea Kovanis, Detroit Free Press, 7 Apr. 2024

After protesting to the referee, Messi, Suarez and Alba found themselves in close quarters with Ortiz, and an argument erupted. —Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2024

Margaret, it is hoped, will be able to connect to the wayward generation currently protesting in the streets. —Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024

Netanyahu's term is set to go through 2026, but thousands have protested against him in recent weeks and demanded that early elections be held. —NBC News, 4 Apr. 2024

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

• under protest
• counter-protest

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