dissent

[dih-sent]

verb (used without object)

1. 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.

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.

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

Other Word Forms

• dissentingly adverb
• nondissenting adjective
• undissenting adjective
• dissenter noun
• dissenting 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

Powell is also likely to face dissents from some of the Fed presidents.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Federal courts and legal scholars have long emphasized that seditious conspiracy charges apply only to coordinated efforts to use force against the government, rather than political dissent.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But there were two dissents, reflecting a divide in opinion over the state and trajectory of the economy.

Read more on Barron's

Typically, such a public attack from the president would quiet dissent from a Republican, especially one up for re-election.

Read more on BBC

But Solicitor Gen. D. John Sauer urged the Supreme Court to review and reverse the appellate ruling, noting 15 judges of the 9th Circuit joined dissents that called the decision “radical” and “clearly wrong.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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

When To Use

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.