Synonyms of protest

protest 1 of 2

noun

ˈprō-ˌtest 

as in objection

a feeling or declaration of disapproval or dissent

submitted an official protest about her treatment

Synonyms & Similar Words

• objection
• complaint
• exception
• question
• criticism
• challenge
• remonstrance
• fuss
• demur
• expostulation
• stink
• difficulty
• demurrer
• demurral
• dissent
• suspicion
• dispute
• doubt
• kick
• disobedience
• compunction
• quarrel
• censure
• debate
• rebellion
• skepticism
• squabble
• misunderstanding
• qualm
• argument
• defiance
• reluctance
• uncertainty
• quibble
• cavil
• distrust
• unease
• scruple
• static
• mistrust
• misgiving
• conflict
• reservation
• unwillingness
• uneasiness
• distrustfulness
• mistrustfulness
• dubitation
• incertitude
• indetermination
• niggle
• misdoubt
• hassle
• dubiety
• qualmishness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approval
• willingness
• sanction
• agreement
• acceptance
• compliance
• acquiescence
• assent
• obedience

protest

2 of 2

verb

prə-ˈtest 

1

as in to insist

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 & Similar Words

• insist
• allege
• claim
• assert
• declare
• contend
• maintain
• argue
• announce
• affirm
• proclaim
• put forth
• warrant
• purport
• profess
• defend
• reason
• aver
• avow
• confirm
• justify
• broadcast
• rationalize
• avouch
• vindicate
• uphold
• support
• persevere
• reaffirm
• reassert

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deny
• abandon
• reject
• negative
• challenge
• dispute
• repudiate
• question
• gainsay
• negate
• disclaim
• disavow
• refute
• counter
• disprove
• rebut
• disown
• contradict
• confute

2

as in to object

to present an opposing opinion or argument

plans to protest against the judge's ruling regarding admissible evidence

Synonyms & Similar Words

• object
• complain
• demur
• kick
• expostulate
• take exception
• whine
• take issue
• remonstrate (with)
• except
• conflict
• fight
• debate
• criticize
• moan
• quarrel
• dispute
• dare
• challenge
• rebel
• stick
• scream
• squabble
• murmur
• cavil
• bitch
• denounce
• grumble
• quibble
• balk
• squawk
• disobey
• defy
• beef
• wrangle
• wail
• whimper
• mutter
• censure
• withstand
• fuss
• demonstrate
• holler
• growl
• gripe
• hassle
• bleat
• caterwaul
• grouse
• nag
• bellyache
• gag
• whinge
• keen
• squeal
• repine
• crab
• yowl
• yammer
• yawp
• carp
• croak
• grouch
• grizzle
• grump
• maunder

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approve
• accept
• sanction
• agree
• comply
• follow
• obey
• observe
• support
• defend
• conform
• advocate
• maintain
• acquiesce
• adhere
• sustain
• mind
• accede
• assent
• uphold
• cheer
• applaud
• commend
• champion

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

Recent Examples of protest

Noun

The remarks by Abbott, who is running for reelection, come amid a national debate over public safety and constitutional liberties at protests, stemming from the fatal shooting of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis. —Karen Brooks Harper, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026

Tensions remain high in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, however, as protests continue and Democrats back in Washington seek to leverage the pair of killings by demanding more accountability for ICE and Border Patrol. —Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026

Verb

In fact, the overwhelming evidence on the ground is that ordinary citizens in Minneapolis have peacefully exercised their First Amendment right to protest government actions. —Ronald Brownstein, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026

Good afternoon subscribers, Max Goldbart here taking you through the week the Oscar noms landed and global events led to protest from within the industry. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2026