dissent
Americanverb (used without object)
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to differ in sentiment or opinion, especially from the majority; withhold assent; disagree (often followed byfrom ).
Two of the justices dissented from the majority decision.
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to disagree with the methods, goals, etc., of a political party or government; take an opposing view.
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to disagree with or reject the doctrines or authority of an established church.
noun
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difference of sentiment or opinion.
- Synonyms:
- opposition, dissatisfaction, disagreement
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disagreement with the philosophy, methods, goals, etc., of a political party or government.
- Synonyms:
- opposition, dissatisfaction, disagreement
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separation from an established church, especially the Church of England; nonconformity.
verb
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to have a disagreement or withhold assent
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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
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a difference of opinion
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Christianity separation from an established church; Nonconformism
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the voicing of a minority opinion in announcing the decision on a case at law; dissenting judgment
Usage
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.
Related Words
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.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of dissent
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English dissenten, from Middle French dissentir, from Latin dissentīre, from dis- dis- 1 + sentīre “to feel”
Explanation
To dissent is to publicly disagree with an official opinion or decision. Dissent is also a noun referring to public disagreement. Both verb and noun are often used in reference to a statement by a judge who disagrees with a decision made by other judges. Dissent is also used to refer to political opposition to government policies. The verb derives from Middle English, from Latin dissentire, from the prefix dis- "apart" plus sentire "to feel."
Vocabulary lists containing dissent
The Hunger Games
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Essential Academic Vocabulary for Middle School Students, List 8
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Common Senses: Sent, Sens ("Feel")
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Appeared in the December 30, 2025, print edition as 'Don’t Be Alarmed by Dissent at the Fed'.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 29, 2025
The editors of “Rings of Dissent: Boxing and Performances of Rebellion” won’t have it.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 21, 2025
According to researcher China Dissent Monitor, there were more than 900 protests in China between June and September 2024 led by workers and property owners - 27% more than the same period a year earlier.
From BBC • Jan. 16, 2025
Dissent is essential to democracy, but dissent must never lead to disorder or denying the rights of others so students can finish the semester and their college education.
From Salon • May 2, 2024
Dissent is a necessary ingredient of change, but in a system of government that provides for peaceful change, there is no cause that justifies resort to violence.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
