protest

1 to state as a fact usually forcefully he protested that he usually was very good at baseball, and all the strikeouts were just bad luck Synonyms affirm, allege, assert, aver, avouch, avow, contend, declare, insist, maintain, profess, claim, purport, warrantRelated Words announce, broadcast, proclaim; argue, rationalize, reason; confirm, justify, vindicate; defend, persevere, support, uphold; reaffirm, reassertNear Antonyms abandon; disavow, disclaim, disown, negate, negative, reject, repudiate; challenge, dispute, question; confute, disprove, rebut, refute; contradict, counterAntonyms deny, gainsay

2 to present an opposing opinion or argument plans to protest against the judge's ruling regarding admissible evidence Synonyms demur, except, expostulate, kick, object, remonstrateRelated Words cavil, quibble; challenge, dare, defy, fight; conflict, debate, dispute, hassle, quarrel, squabble, wrangle; beef, bellyache, bitch, bleat, carp, caterwaul, complain, crab, croak, fuss, gripe, grizzle, grouch, grouse, growl, grumble, grump, holler, keen, maunder [chiefly British], moan, murmur, mutter, nag, repine, scream, squawk, squeal, wail, whimper, whine, whinge [British], yammer, yawp (or yaup), yowl; balk, gag, stick; censure, criticize, denounce; disobey, rebel, withstand; demonstrateNear Antonyms approve, sanction; accept; accede, acquiesce, agree, assent; adhere, comply, conform, follow, mind, obey, observe; advocate, champion, defend, maintain, support, sustain, uphold; applaud, cheer, commend