1
as in discord
a lack of agreement or harmony
considerable dissent within the party's rank and file
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to disagree
to have a different opinion
anyone who dissented was encouraged to speak out while they had the chance
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dissent
Dan Greene, New Yorker, 12 June 2026
Still, Galentz’s paintings maintained a similarly radiant, yet elusive and introspective quality, with more formal risks than, say, overt political dissent.
—The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 12 June 2026
Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2026
The justices split, with five giving Louisiana the green light and four dissenting.
—Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for dissent
Noun
Political dissent can be harshly policed outside the stadium, but domestic clubs’ most ardent fan groups, often called ultras, are brazenly outspoken in their cheering.
—Dan Greene, New Yorker, 12 June 2026
Still, Galentz’s paintings maintained a similarly radiant, yet elusive and introspective quality, with more formal risks than, say, overt political dissent.
—The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 12 June 2026
Verb
Councilmember Jose Preciado, who cast a dissenting vote along with McCann to continue the item, supported awarding the funding and cautioned against withholding it.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2026
The justices split, with five giving Louisiana the green light and four dissenting.
—Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for dissent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dissent
Noun
-
The Dishonest Job Search researchers give recommendations for hiring managers, job seekers and organizations to mitigate the confusion and discord in the hiring process.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2025
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Despite the internal and external discord, Senate Majority Leader John Thune is pushing to finalize the bill before the July 4 holiday.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
1 July 2025
Noun
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The biographical drama is inspired by the lives of Brazilian activist Eunice Paiva and her politician husband Rubens, who was murdered for his dissidence toward the military dictatorship of 1970s Brazil.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2025
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If Trump’s first Presidency was characterized by widespread revolt, his second term has so far been defined by the lack of dissidence.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
The New Yorker,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Five of the other eight justices disagreed with her.—
Richard A. Webster,
ProPublica,
25 Aug. 2025
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The vast majority of Republicans, 90%, said Trump has outshined Biden, while 81% of Democrats disagreed.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The financial strife seemed like a death knell for one of the city’s largest redevelopment projects, an effort Stammel spent years helping to engineer.—
Zachary Hansen,
AJC.com,
11 June 2026
-
The community in Boulder County has been in good hands through strife and trauma.—
The Denver Post Editorial Board,
Denver Post,
8 June 2026
Noun
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While Ono faced the public just days after being named UF’s preferred candidate, Bell has spent more than two weeks under the microscope as conservative activists, bloggers and political operatives sifted through his decade-long record in Alabama searching for evidence of ideological heresy.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2026
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There are hundreds of professional plumbers and drain-cleaning companies who survive and thrive on this home maintenance heresy!—
Tim Carter,
Hartford Courant,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
The strategy could lead to friction with the federal government.—
Collin Binkley,
Fortune,
11 Dec. 2025
-
Sometimes, even that smallest amount of friction means your fleeting thought of adding a reminder is lost forever.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
10 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
In that movie, Keating taught English and poetry, so his open mind and nonconformity worked.—
Andy Hoglund,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Apr. 2026
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Whether Barbara always had such strong feelings about womanhood or developed them in reaction to her kid’s gender nonconformity is unclear.—
Isle McElroy,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In other words, the current combination of US political tensions and global conflicts are driving more US nationals to seek new options overseas.—
Jessica Puckett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 June 2026
-
Notably, the Vikings haven’t been able to create this conflict.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dissent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dissent. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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