Synonyms of protests

protests 1 of 2

noun

plural of protest

as in objections

a feeling or declaration of disapproval or dissent

submitted an official protest about her treatment

Synonyms & Similar Words

• objections
• complaints
• exceptions
• questions
• criticisms
• challenges
• remonstrances
• expostulations
• demurrers
• difficulties
• demurrals
• stinks
• suspicions
• fusses
• disputes
• doubts
• demurs
• kicks
• rebellions
• qualms
• quarrels
• misgivings
• dissents
• debates
• squabbles
• skepticism
• compunctions
• misunderstandings
• arguments
• quibbles
• censures
• scruples
• disobediences
• uncertainties
• distrust
• conflicts
• mistrust
• defiances
• statics
• cavils
• reservations
• reluctances
• indeterminations
• niggles
• hassles
• dubitations
• incertitudes
• misdoubts
• dubieties

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sanctions
• approvals
• agreements
• acceptances
• assents
• acquiescences
• compliances
• obediences

protests

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of protest

1

as in claims

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

• claims
• alleges
• insists
• contends
• asserts
• declares
• maintains
• announces
• argues
• affirms
• proclaims
• purports
• warrants
• professes
• avows
• reasons
• confirms
• avers
• puts forth
• broadcasts
• defends
• avouches
• rationalizes
• justifies
• vindicates
• reaffirms
• upholds
• perseveres
• supports
• reasserts

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• denies
• rejects
• disputes
• challenges
• abandons
• questions
• disavows
• repudiates
• negates
• counters
• gainsays
• disclaims
• negatives
• refutes
• contradicts
• disowns
• disproves
• rebuts
• confutes

2

as in objects

to present an opposing opinion or argument

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• objects
• complains
• kicks
• expostulates
• demurs
• takes exception
• whines
• takes issue
• excepts
• remonstrates (with)
• debates
• conflicts
• moans
• quarrels
• fights
• disputes
• rebels
• criticizes
• challenges
• murmurs
• squabbles
• grumbles
• squawks
• wrangles
• screams
• quibbles
• beefs
• whimpers
• dares
• gripes
• sticks
• grouses
• wails
• yowls
• squeals
• hassles
• bitches
• cavils
• growls
• balks
• hollers
• whinges
• nags
• bleats
• mutters
• bellyaches
• defies
• denounces
• censures
• withstands
• caterwauls
• disobeys
• yammers
• gags
• fusses
• crabs
• repines
• grumps
• keens
• grizzles
• grouches
• demonstrates
• croaks
• yawps
• maunders
• carps

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approves
• sanctions
• accepts
• follows
• agrees
• minds
• advocates
• observes
• obeys
• complies
• acquiesces
• defends
• conforms
• supports
• cheers
• maintains
• adheres
• sustains
• assents
• upholds
• accedes
• commends
• champions
• applauds

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of protests

Noun

As much as anything, this latest Manchester derby, which took place amid protests by United fans outside and inside the ground, was an occasion to reflect on the divergent impacts of both clubs’ owners. — Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Activist networks and legal scholars are rehearsing doomsday scenarios, planning mass protests and advising judges on ballot seizures and ICE deployments, underscoring fears that the midterms could stress-test American democracy. — Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

By nightfall, the protests turned violent, people hurling bricks and taking down the American flag in favor of the Confederate colors. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026

During the Occupy Wall Street protests after the 2008 financial crisis, the prototypical one-percenters were executives at big banks. — Eric Zwick, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026

But protests sprang up, and eventually Serbian prosecutors charged the minister of culture with falsifying documents to secure permits. — Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026

The Gambia banned protests without permits following days of unrest over persistent electricity blackouts. — Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 14 Sep. 2026

As a result, water is often scarce, and small protests have erupted, despite the fear of being detained, as anger and frustration boil over. — Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026

The Israeli war in Gaza led to mass protests around the world, and all of these events offered fodder for conspiracy theories about the enemies of Islam plotting against Muslims. — Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 8 Sep. 2026

Verb

Copycat protests sprang up in other major Indian cities—Kolkata, Mumbai and Patna—lending the Gen Z protests the aura of a nationwide youth resistance that would humble Modi and force his education minister to resign. — Asim Ali, Time, 1 Aug. 2026

Protest Passion Project The Climb was first unveiled by Beta Cinema at the European Film Market in February 2022, with Delevingne (Carnival Row) attached as a daredevil climber who protests against oil drilling in the Arctic by ascending The Shard. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 3 June 2026

Investigators ask for patience after video sparks protests The police department provided the findings of the investigation to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation for an independent review of any criminal violations, Fraser said. — Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 31 May 2026

Woman, Life, Freedom protests The 2020 election of Joe Biden led to tentative efforts to restore the JCPOA, but any progress made was squashed by the 2021 election of hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi as president of Iran. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Mar. 2026

Then that correction gets a correction from Andy, who protests that Lisa was really only a villain her last year of Housewives. — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026

The 46-year-old attorney frequently protests at Broadview and also volunteers as a rapid responder, reporting on federal agents’ activities in neighborhoods. — Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026

Iran protests spark reaction abroad Videos of demonstrations have stopped coming out of Iran, likely signaling the slowdown of their pace under the heavy security force presence in major cities. — Dallas Morning News, 15 Jan. 2026

Walz is asking anyone who protests to do so in a peaceful way. — CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026