dissent

[ dih-sent ]

verb (used without object)

1. to differ in sentiment or opinion, especially from the majority; withhold assent; disagree (often followed by from ):

   Two of the justices dissented from the majority decision.

2. to disagree with the methods, goals, etc., of a political party or government; take an opposing view.
3. to disagree with or reject the doctrines or authority of an established church.

noun

1. difference of sentiment or opinion.

   Synonyms: opposition, dissatisfaction, disagreement

2. dissenting opinion ( def ).
3. disagreement with the philosophy, methods, goals, etc., of a political party or government.

   Synonyms: opposition, dissatisfaction, disagreement

4. separation from an established church, especially the Church of England; nonconformity.

dissent

/ dɪˈsɛnt /

verb

1. to have a disagreement or withhold assent
2. Christianity to refuse to conform to the doctrines, beliefs, or practices of an established church, and to adhere to a different system of beliefs and practices

noun

1. a difference of opinion
2. Christianity separation from an established church; Nonconformism
3. the voicing of a minority opinion in announcing the decision on a case at law; dissenting judgment

Derived Forms

• disˈsentingly, adverb
• disˈsenting, adjective
• disˈsenter, noun

Other Words From

• dis·senting·ly adverb
• nondis·senting adjective noun
• undis·senting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dissent¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English dissenten, from Middle French dissentir, from Latin dissentīre, from dis- dis- ¹ + sentīre “to feel”

Word History and Origins

Origin of dissent¹

C16: from Latin dissentīre to disagree, from dis- ¹+ sentīre to perceive, feel

Synonym Study

Dissent, dissidence mean disagreement with the majority opinion. Dissent may express either withholding of agreement or open disagreement. Dissidence, formerly much the same as dissent, has come to suggest not only strong dissatisfaction but a determined opposition.

Example Sentences

So, we instituted something we call “farming for dissent,” where on these big decisions everybody has to write down in public in a shared document, how they feel about the idea and their judgment about it.

From Freakonomics

The law, aimed at silencing dissent, shattered the notion that Hong Kong’s legislature is independent from Beijing.

From Fortune

He said Ikhrata was trying to remove a voice of dissent on the SANDAG board.

From Voice of San Diego

Given Lukashenko’s control over the system — he won’t allow independent election observers — it remains unlikely that Tikhanovskaya will win outright, but the past couple of weeks have fueled the fire of a growing dissent.

From Ozy

Justice Alito filed a separate dissent, joined by Justice Thomas.

From No Straight News

In other words, fluoride is a broad-spectrum, bipartisan, long-lasting magnet for dissent.

From The Daily Beast

Priests often preach support for the regime to their congregations, many of whom loudly dissent.

From The Daily Beast

As noted by Judge Martha Craig Daughtrey in dissent, this is an outrageous position.

From The Daily Beast

Others also suspect civil groups with funding coming from Mainland China are sowing dissent.

From The Daily Beast

Racial mistrust, military tactics against citizens, dissent quashed.

From The Daily Beast

What justifies the disruption requires a dissent from the civil power, as a power not of God.

From Project Gutenberg

The first reading was carried without a division, the Duke of Richmond being the only peer who expressed dissent.

From Project Gutenberg

It requires more power and strength of mind and decision of character to dissent from the Church of the State than to support it.

From Project Gutenberg

For from these three Chapels came not only the impulse of the spiritual life of Llanyglo, but its local politics of dissent also.

From Project Gutenberg

He was re-nominated the next year without dissent or opposition, but declined a re-election on account of ill health.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• discord
• dissension
• disunity
• objection
• opposition
• protest
• resistance
• schism
• strife

Dissent Vs. Descent

What's the difference between dissent and descent?

Dissent can be a noun meaning disagreement, as in I voiced my dissent, or a verb meaning to disagree, as in The judge is expected to dissent. Descent is a noun that means the act of moving downward (descending), a downward movement, or downward movement in general.

The two words are pronounced exactly the same.

Perhaps the best way to remember the difference between the two is to think about what related words mean and how they’re spelled. Words related to dissent involve agreement or disagreement and end with -sent, including assent and consent.

Words related to descent involve movement and are spelled with sc, including descend, ascent, ascension, and transcend.

Here’s an example of dissent and descent used correctly in a sentence.

Example: There was dissent among the climbers about whether they should attempt the descent during the storm.

Quiz yourself on dissent vs. descent!

Should dissent or descent be used in the following sentence?

The plane’s rapid _____ was caused by a faulty engine.