dissent

[dih-sent]

verb (used without object)

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.

to disagree with the methods, goals, etc., of a political party or government; take an opposing view.

to disagree with or reject the doctrines or authority of an established church.

noun

difference of sentiment or opinion.

dissenting opinion.

disagreement with the philosophy, methods, goals, etc., of a political party or government.

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

Origin of dissent

1400–50; late Middle English dissenten (< Middle French dissentir) < Latin dissentīre, equivalent to dis- dis-¹ + sentīre to feel

Related formsdis·sent·ing·ly, adverbnon·dis·sent·ing, adjective, nounun·dis·sent·ing, adjective

Can be confuseddecent descent dissent

Synonyms for dissent

4, 6. disagreement, dissatisfaction, opposition.

Synonym study

4, 6. 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.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for dissented

discord, objection, disunity, resistance, dissension, schism, protest, opposition, strife, contradict, differ, balk, demur, flak, denial, contention, disaccord, refusal, dissidence, hassle

Examples from the Web for dissented

Contemporary Examples of dissented

The member of the three-judge panel who dissented from the majority decision, Terence T. Evans, “was right,” Judge Posner said.
A Judge Sees the Light on ‘Voter Fraud’ Laws
Jamelle Bouie
October 22, 2013
If you dissented from those common assumptions, you found yourself in a pretty marginal place.
The "Media Bias" Dead End
David Frum
November 10, 2012
The three women of the court, along with Justice Stephen Breyer, dissented.
Walmart Decision's Devastating Consequences for Women
Marcia D. Greenberger
June 22, 2011
While in the state Assembly, she dissented so often that a 41-to-1 vote was presumed to be “41-to-Angle.”
Women Rule Primary Night
Mark McKinnon
June 9, 2010

Historical Examples of dissented

"There is no of course in it, when men are the actors," dissented Mrs. Jenkins.
The Channings
Mrs. Henry Wood
I had been pressing her to do something—a mere trifle—to which she dissented.
Sir Jasper Carew
Charles James Lever
From this judgment Lord Roberts (p. 260) dissented vigorously.
Story of the War in South Africa
Captain A. T. Mahan, U.S.N.
"Let's get warm by tumbling the things off the wagon," dissented Prescott.
The Grammar School Boys Snowbound
H. Irving Hancock
"No, we travelled alone," said one of the men, but the other dissented.
Fantmas
Pierre Souvestre

British Dictionary definitions for dissented

dissent

verb (intr)

to have a disagreement or withhold assent

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

a difference of opinion

Christianity separation from an established church; Nonconformism

the voicing of a minority opinion in announcing the decision on a case at law; dissenting judgment

Derived Formsdissenter, noundissenting, adjectivedissentingly, adverb

Word Origin for dissent

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for dissented

dissent

early 15c., from Latin dissentire "differ in sentiments, disagree, be at odds, contradict, quarrel," from dis- "differently" (see dis-) + sentire "to feel, think" (see sense (n.)). Related: Dissented; dissenting. The noun is 1580s, from the verb.

Has there ever been a society which has died of dissent? Several have died of conformity in our lifetime. [Jacob Bronowski "Science and Human Values," 1956]