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
Pheu Thai's crisis was triggered back in June by Anutin's withdrawal from its alliance, which left the coalition government clinging to power with a razor-thin majority amid protests and plummeting popularity. Panarat Thepgumpanat, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025 Although the political protests in Los Angeles included some violence, the judge reasoned that the violence did not rise to a rebellion and did not prevent a traditional police response. Luke William Hunt, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
Southern enslavers left the national conferences of the Methodist and the Baptist churches in the mid-1840s to protest antislavery sentiment in those bodies. Time, 5 Sep. 2025 Just before midnight on July 25, 2020, a crowd gathered at the Atlanta ICE building and protested outside a fenced area. Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for protest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protest
Noun
  • The objections that stopped earlier attempts are now dissolving.
    Sandy Peng, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Libraries received only 12 formal objections since 2021 Changes brought by the supervisors' stand in contrast to how library administrators historically have dealt with book objections.
    Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Troost-Ekong Pushes Back Against Doubters Visionhaus/Getty Images Captain William Troost-Ekong drew on Nigeria’s history while insisting this is a fresh challenge.
    Sindiswa Mabunda, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • In the lead-up to this revenge match, Rodgers insisted that this was Week 1, and only Week 1.
    Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The White House objected to several past and present exhibits, including some not currently on display.
    BrieAnna J. Frank, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
  • An untrained defendant has no knowledge of the substantive law, the Rules of Criminal Procedure, the Rules of Evidence, or how to protect the record for appeal by objecting.
    Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • But a butt dial revealed the truth about what actually happened, the complaint alleges.
    KC Baker, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The site provides links to 14 private and government groups that accept and act on complaints, including the FBI, the Better Business Bureau, the Social Security Administration, AARP, the SEC, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
    Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • During his time on the run, Tom is alleged to have committed a series of crimes, including a robbery in the Waikato region, according to New Zealand police.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The Bundy family’s statement noted this and said their destination was not clandestine, as the FBI document alleged.
    Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • On a StudBudz stream, Courtney Williams complained about having to share space at the team’s practice area, particularly when players and other attendees of the recreation center need to shower.
    Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Roman complains about pain in his feet, and Dennis offers him a foot massage.
    Barry Levitt, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The only exception was the 2019 AFCON quarter-final, when Troost-Ekong struck an 89th-minute winner for the Super Eagles.
    Sindiswa Mabunda, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The sole exception to the rule of the total privacy of color experience can be found in the television of the Gilligan’s Island era.
    Scott Stossel, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In some states where there is no anonymity for individual winners, people can still claim prizes anonymously through private trusts.
    Safiyah Riddle, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Real estate experts say claiming primary residences on different mortgages at the same time is often legal and rarely prosecuted.
    Robert Faturechi, ProPublica, 6 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Protest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protest. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on protest

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