Synonyms of dissent

dissent 1 of 2

noun

1

as in discord

a lack of agreement or harmony

considerable dissent within the party's rank and file

Synonyms & Similar Words

• discord
• strife
• friction
• conflict
• war
• discordance
• schism
• discordancy
• warfare
• division
• dissidence
• dissension
• dispute
• variance
• clash
• hostility
• dissonance
• disunity
• infighting
• disagreement
• altercation
• disharmony
• disunion
• argument
• contention
• divide
• debate
• disaccord
• inharmony
• fight
• competition
• collision
• fissure
• quarrel
• brawl
• spat
• inconsistency
• squabble
• animosity
• falling-out
• bicker
• antagonism
• incongruity
• enmity
• rancor
• tiff
• incongruence
• run-in
• antipathy
• incompatibility
• ill will
• cold war
• row
• wrangle
• scrap
• jar
• incongruousness
• mix-up
• miff
• hassle
• inconsistence
• inconsonance
• inharmoniousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• agreement
• peace
• harmony
• accord
• cooperation
• concurrence
• concord
• concordance

2

as in dissidence

departure from a generally accepted theory, opinion, or practice

the church reacted to any form of dissent by promptly excommunicating its proponents

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dissidence
• heresy
• nonconformity
• error
• schism
• heterodoxy
• discord
• defection
• myth
• deviation
• disagreement
• misconception
• apostasy
• deviance
• fallacy
• sectarianism
• dissension
• separatism
• iconoclasm
• scission
• falsehood
• misbelief
• unconventionality
• infidelity

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• conformity
• orthodoxy
• agreement
• conformation
• conventionality

dissent

2 of 2

verb

di-ˈsent 

as in to disagree

to have a different opinion

anyone who dissented was encouraged to speak out while they had the chance

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disagree
• object
• differ
• protest
• conflict
• take issue
• nonconcur
• debate
• resist
• argue
• contrast
• oppose
• clash
• counter
• contest
• dispute
• collide
• quarrel
• fall out
• bicker

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• concur
• agree
• assent
• accept
• consent
• comply
• acquiesce
• defer
• subscribe
• accede
• compromise
• cooperate
• affiliate
• get along
• collaborate
• associate
• side
• ally
• come round
• collude

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of dissent

Noun

The government rejects the accusations, saying its institutions remain robust and law enforcement targets violations of the law, not dissent. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026

Sorkin’s problem was that, in reality, at this point in Facebook’s history, the powerful CEO had pushed out all the Roger McNamees, having suppressed dissent within the company. — Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 10 Oct. 2026

Verb

In both cases, the media played a critical role in shaping public opinion by framing, by omission, by repetition of official talking points, and by an overall failure to include dissenting voices or the perspectives of those most impacted. — Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026

The City Council voted 9-3 on Monday night to approve the 10-year master plan, with Ward 2 council members Melissa Cheatham and Drew Mitrisin and Ward 3 Councilmember Andrew Borlaza dissenting. — Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026