protest 1 of 2

protest

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word protest distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of protest are affirm, assert, avow, and declare. While all these words mean "to state positively usually in anticipation of denial or objection," protest emphasizes affirming in the face of denial or doubt.

protested that he really had been misquoted

When can affirm be used instead of protest?

The synonyms affirm and protest are sometimes interchangeable, but affirm implies conviction based on evidence, experience, or faith.

affirmed the existence of an afterlife

When would assert be a good substitute for protest?

While in some cases nearly identical to protest, assert implies stating confidently without need for proof or regard for evidence.

asserted that modern music is just noise

When is avow a more appropriate choice than protest?

The words avow and protest can be used in similar contexts, but avow stresses frank declaration and acknowledgment of personal responsibility for what is declared.

avowed that all investors would be repaid in full

When is it sensible to use declare instead of protest?

Although the words declare and protest have much in common, declare stresses open or public statement.

declared her support for the candidate

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of protest
Noun
Meanwhile protests have erupted across Europe calling for an end to the war. Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2025 Thousands of climate activists marched through Manhattan streets today as part of a coordinated global wave of protests demanding urgent environmental change. Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
Verb
Five years ago, as demonstrators streamed into public squares to protest the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer, many institutions — from public school districts to the State Board of Education — promoted and committed to equity in schools. Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 25 Sep. 2025 Julio César Duque de Estrada Ferrer, whose son Dairon is in prison for protesting on July 11, 2021, was recently sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison, accused of trying to take a video of a long line to buy cooking gas tanks, and assaulting an Interior Ministry agent who told him to stop. Nora Gamez Torres, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for protest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protest
Noun
  • Democrats countered that the GOP proposal actually is partisan, since Republicans are seeking to extend funding following the passage of a controversial spending bill that narrowly passed in July over the objections of all congressional Democrats.
    Kevin Breuninger,Sam Meredith, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Burr’s take on the event comes as some comedians such as Shane Gillis, Marc Maron and David Cross have voiced objections to the festival, with Cross blasting comics — including citing Burr — who participated.
    James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Yet Huang insists the skeptics are missing the deeper forces reshaping the economy.
    Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Advertisement As a result, civil rights leaders insisted that the pursuit of equality depended on freedom for unpopular speech.
    Time, Time, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • To review or object to instances where our partners assert a legitimate interest in utilizing your data, please visit our vendors page.
    Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 3 Oct. 2025
  • But many have objected to doing that as part of the budget process.
    Simon F. Haeder, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The decision to place Hauck on leave followed three complaints accusing him of inappropriate speech on multiple occasions, according to records received via a Freedom of Information Act request.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2025
  • The station chief filed a complaint with the State Department’s Office of the Inspector General, charging that Manes had unfairly dismissed him, among other allegations.
    T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In a high-profile, three-month-long trial, prosecutors alleged that Sarkozy funneled millions of dollars from the Libyan government into his campaign coffers; he was acquitted of further charges of embezzlement and corruption.
    Claire Cameron, semafor.com, 28 Sep. 2025
  • The inquest is expected to consider some or all of the concerns that were raised at the time and reported by The Athletic in the immediate aftermath, with multiple eyewitnesses alleging failings in the care provided by Sheffield Wednesday and its medical services.
    Steve Madeley, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Jiang and his colleagues complain over video chat about their bland meals, but the people who produce, prepare and deliver the food remain invisible.
    Yangyang Cheng, NPR, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Yost and others who opposed the sale of books from the library complained that HUC should not sell part of its collection to ease its financial problems.
    Dan Horn, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • One option would require universal permitting, meaning every business that emits the five toxics would need a permit, and another proposal would require universal permitting with some exceptions.
    Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
  • But after three weeks, that 27-13 loss in Green Bay is more of an exception than the rule; Detroit has scored 52, 38 and 34 points since, and now owns the league’s best point margin.
    Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Scammers will call or text consumers claiming to be a legitimate institution, such as a bank or a government institution.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Eight unoccupied houses were claimed by roaring Atlantic surf this week on the Outer Banks — a 200-mile ribbon of barrier islands on the North Carolina coast — as Hurricane Humberto and Hurricane Imelda passed offshore.
    Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Protest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protest. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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