protest

[ noun proh-test; verb pruh-test, proh-test ]

noun

1. an expression or declaration of objection, disapproval, or dissent, often in opposition to something a person is powerless to prevent or avoid:

   a protest against increased taxation.

   Antonyms: approval

2. Commerce.
   1. a formal notarial certificate attesting the fact that a check, note, or bill of exchange has been presented for acceptance or payment and that it has been refused.
   2. the action taken to fix the liability for a dishonored bill of exchange or note.
3. Law.
   1. (upon one's payment of a tax or other state or city exaction) a formal statement disputing the legality of the demand.
   2. a written and attested declaration made by the master of a ship stating the circumstances under which some damage has happened to the ship or cargo, or other circumstances involving the liability of the officers, crew, etc.
4. Sports. a formal objection or complaint made to an official.

verb (used without object)

1. to give manifest expression to objection or disapproval; remonstrate.

   Synonyms: complain

   Antonyms: approve

2. to make solemn or earnest declaration.

   Synonyms: attest, aver, avow, asseverate

verb (used with object)

1. to make a protest or remonstrance against; object to.
2. to say in protest or remonstrance.
3. to declare solemnly or earnestly; affirm; assert.
4. to make a formal declaration of the nonacceptance or nonpayment of (a bill of exchange or note).
5. Obsolete. to call to witness.

protest

noun

1. 1. public, often organized, dissent or manifestation of such dissent
   2. ( as modifier )

      a protest march

2. a declaration or objection that is formal or solemn
3. an expression of disagreement or complaint

   without a squeak of protest

4. 1. a formal notarial statement drawn up on behalf of a creditor and declaring that the debtor has dishonoured a bill of exchange or promissory note
   2. the action of drawing up such a statement
   3. a formal declaration by a taxpayer disputing the legality or accuracy of his assessment
5. a statement made by the master of a vessel attesting to the circumstances in which his vessel was damaged or imperilled
6. the act of protesting
7. under protest
   under protest having voiced objections; unwillingly

verb

1. whenintr, foll by against, at, about, etc; when tr, may take a clause as object to make a strong objection (to something, esp a supposed injustice or offence)
2. when tr, may take a clause as object to assert or affirm in a formal or solemn manner
3. when tr, may take a clause as object to put up arguments against; disagree; complain; object

   he protested that it was not his turn to wash up

   ``I'm okay,'' she protested

4. tr to object forcefully to

   leaflets protesting Dr King's murder

5. tr to declare formally that (a bill of exchange or promissory note) has been dishonoured

Derived Forms

• proˈtestant, adjectivenoun
• proˈtester, noun
• proˈtestingly, adverb

Other Words From

• pro·testa·ble adjective
• pro·tester pro·testor noun
• pro·testing·ly adverb
• pro·testive adjective
• half-pro·tested adjective
• half-pro·testing adjective
• nonpro·testing adjective
• re·protest noun
• repro·test verb
• unpro·tested adjective
• unpro·testing adjective
• unpro·testing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of protest¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; (for the verb) late Middle English protesten, from Middle French protester, from Latin prōtestārī “to declare publicly,” from prō- pro- ¹ + testārī “to testify” (derivative of testis “a witness”); noun derivative of the verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of protest¹

C14: from Latin prōtestārī to make a formal declaration, from prō- before + testārī to assert

Synonym Study

See declare.

Example Sentences

It was founded recently — July 2019 — with the goal of quickly getting money to groups engaged in climate protest.

From Vox

In a sense, buying ads in Apple Daily is Hong Kongers’ latest form of protest.

From Quartz

However, as the protests have worn on, certain social justice theories have been stretched in potentially troubling ways.

From Ozy

Students and activists in Korea staged a protest in late July calling for a boycott in support of protesters in Hong Kong.

From Fortune

It isn’t just racial justice protests that benefit from the outrage caused by video.

From MIT Technology Review

Police, their representatives and supporters tell us, ensure our freedom of speech through our ability to protest.

From The Daily Beast

Yet even after the funeral protest, de Blasio was booed and heckled while addressing a new class of recruits as well.

From The Daily Beast

The Moscow protest was not sanctioned, which meant every participant risked arrest.

From The Daily Beast

For now, Sabrine continues her daily routine of visits to the protest camp, to political leaders and taking care of the twins.

From The Daily Beast

His hunger strike in December 2011 received nation-wide recognition and was one of the sparks that ignited the protest movement.

From The Daily Beast

The lovers got up, with only a silent protest, and walked slowly away somewhere else.

From Project Gutenberg

Of course I had to satisfy the ruffian's insolent demands, but I did so under protest.

From Project Gutenberg

The weapons, the most unusual weapons, we are reluctantly compelled to accept under protest.

From Project Gutenberg

Old Mr. Holmes started to protest, but Aaron Kallaberger quieted him with an offering of tobacco.

From Project Gutenberg

But you may cynically remind me that nothing will come of the Determinists' protest against the evil social conditions.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• affirm
• assert
• declare
• demonstrate
• fight
• insist
• maintain
• object
• oppose
• resist
• revolt

More About Protest

What does protest mean?

Protest most commonly means a public show of disapproval of or opposition to something.

Protests are often held against things like a nation’s involvement in a war or specific government policies or forms of injustice.

A close synonym is demonstration. Such protests are often held in public spaces by people who want to display their disapproval openly in order to bring awareness to their cause and put pressure on authorities to make changes.

A person who participates in a protest can be called a protester or a protestor. (The -er spelling is much more common, but the -or spelling has increased in usage.)

Protest is often used as a verb meaning to participate in a protest. It can also be used as a verb in a more general way meaning to show disapproval or disagreement, as in My kids always protest when I try to serve them vegetables, but they end up eating them. 

Sometimes, protest might refer to an official complaint or objection, as in They lodged an official protest. This sense can also be used as a verb, as in The team protested their loss with the league, claiming unfair treatment by referees. 

To resign in protest means to quit in a way that’s meant to show disagreement or disapproval of something that’s happened. To do something under protest means to do it unwillingly or with strong objections.

Example: The colonists protested the increased taxes by refusing to pay them.

Where does protest come from?

The first records of protest come from the 1300s. It derives from the Latin prōtestārī, meaning “to declare publicly,” from the root testārī, meaning “to testify.” The pro- in protest doesn’t mean “in favor of” or “supporting” as it does in some other terms—instead it’s used to indicate a sense of outwardness.

To protest is to speak out against something. It’s almost always used in a way that indicates a stance against something considered negative—something that the protesters want to see change. Perhaps the most recognizable form of protest is when a large group of people assembles in the streets to march, chant, and carry signs with messages about their cause. But protesting can take many forms. Sometimes, a protest can be a refusal to do something. Rosa Parks protested racist treatment by refusing to move when a white man tried to take her seat on the bus. Her protest is often considered one of the events that launched the civil rights movement in the U.S., which included protests against systemic racism in the form of marches, rallies, sit-ins, and boycotts.

Some protests are massive demonstrations, like those in which citizens rallied against their authoritarian governments during the Arab Spring in 2010 and 2011. Others are much smaller and much more narrow in scope. A handful of people might protest outside of their local government building. Protests don’t always have to take place in public, but that’s often the most effective way for people to have their voices heard.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to protest?

• protester (noun)
• protestor (noun)
• protestingly (adverb)
• protestable (adjective)
• protestive (adjective)

What are some synonyms for protest?

• demonstrate
• demonstration
• rally
• complaint

What are some words that share a root or word element with protest? 

• testify
• protestation
• Protestant

What are some words that often get used in discussing protest?

• march
• against
• activism
• public
• antiwar
• injustice
• movement
• resign

How is protest used in real life?

There are many forms of protest and people protest against many different things. The word is most commonly used to refer to a public display of disapproval.

Washington DC! NYC! Philly! Houston! Seattle! London! Amsterdam! Paris! Massive protests all across America and around the world!!! For the first time, IN A LONG TIME, I actually believe there really are more of this than there are of them. #BlackLivesMattter pic.twitter.com/jG4CLp2JHF

— Kenny BooYah! (@KwikWarren) June 7, 2020

A year ago today: More than a million people had jammed Hong Kong’s streets to protest the now-withdrawn extradition bill in the biggest demonstration in years. Many said they feared it put the city’s vaunted legal independence at risk. https://t.co/485gQDxmww #HongKongProtests pic.twitter.com/YQAQA7C49o

— Jessie Pang (@JessiePang0125) June 8, 2020

“I’m deeply ashamed”: Another Facebook employee resigned in protest over the company’s handling of Trump’s posts https://t.co/4hbKMeVhkk

— Carla Gentry (@data_nerd) June 5, 2020

 

 

 

Try using protest!

Is protest used correctly in the following sentence?

Citizens held a protest outside the mayor’s office to congratulate him on a job well done.