protest

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

/ noun ˈproʊ tɛst; verb prəˈtɛst, ˈproʊ tɛst /

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See synonyms for: protest / protested / protesting on Thesaurus.com

noun

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.

Commerce.

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.
the action taken to fix the liability for a dishonored bill of exchange or note.

Law.

(upon one's payment of a tax or other state or city exaction) a formal statement disputing the legality of the demand.
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.

Sports. a formal objection or complaint made to an official.

verb (used without object)

to give manifest expression to objection or disapproval; remonstrate.

to make solemn or earnest declaration.

verb (used with object)

to make a protest or remonstrance against; object to.

to say in protest or remonstrance.

to declare solemnly or earnestly; affirm; assert.

to make a formal declaration of the nonacceptance or nonpayment of (a bill of exchange or note).

Obsolete. to call to witness.

OTHER WORDS FOR protest

5 complain.

6 asseverate, avow, aver, attest.

See synonyms for protest on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR protest

1 approval.

5 approve.

See antonyms for protest on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of protest

1350–1400; (noun) Middle English <Middle French (French protêt), derivative of protester to protest <Latin prōtestārī to declare publicly, equivalent to prō-pro-¹ + testārī to testify, derivative of testis a witness; (v.) late Middle English protesten<Middle French protester

synonym study for protest

6. See declare.

OTHER WORDS FROM protest

pro·test·a·ble, adjectivepro·test·er, pro·tes·tor, nounpro·test·ing·ly, adverbpro·test·ive, adjective

half-pro·test·ed, adjectivehalf-pro·test·ing, adjectivenon·pro·test·ing, adjectivere·pro·test, nounre·pro·test, verbun·pro·test·ed, adjectiveun·pro·test·ing, adjectiveun·pro·test·ing·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use protest in a sentence

The arrest of two leading opposition candidates has sparked sporadic mass protests that have entered the second day in different parts of the country leaving at least 16 people dead and scores more with severe injuries, the police said.
Uganda’s election run-up has turned deadly after opposition candidates were arrested|Stephen Kafeero|November 19, 2020|Quartz
They’ve used photos from protests, sleuthing on social media, crowdsourcing through the internet even resorted to stealing personal information.
Citizens are turning face recognition on unidentified police|Tate Ryan-Mosley|November 18, 2020|MIT Technology Review
In April 2020, they held a protest in Los Angeles demanding Spears be released.
Why Britney Spears’s fans are convinced she’s being held captive|Constance Grady|November 11, 2020|Vox
She’d never spoken out publicly on a social issue before, but when protests over racial injustice erupted across the country, she knew that staying silent would only contribute to the systemic problems.
Saying the Quiet Parts Out Loud|Outside Editors|November 11, 2020|Outside Online

Then the pandemic hit, and economic uncertainty, and protests erupted over racial justice and tensions flared over the presidential election and transition.
Most popular course ever at Georgetown Law? How to fight for justice.|Susan Svrluga|November 6, 2020|Washington Post

British Dictionary definitions for protest

protest

noun (ˈprəʊtɛst)

public, often organized, dissent or manifestation of such dissent
(as modifier)a protest march

a declaration or objection that is formal or solemn

an expression of disagreement or complaintwithout a squeak of protest

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
the action of drawing up such a statement
a formal declaration by a taxpayer disputing the legality or accuracy of his assessment

a statement made by the master of a vessel attesting to the circumstances in which his vessel was damaged or imperilled

the act of protesting

under protest having voiced objections; unwillingly

verb (prəˈtɛst)

(when intr, 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)

(when tr, may take a clause as object) to assert or affirm in a formal or solemn manner

(when tr, may take a clause as object) to put up arguments against; disagree; complain; object``I'm okay,'' she protested; he protested that it was not his turn to wash up

(tr) mainly US to object forcefully toleaflets protesting Dr King's murder

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

Derived forms of protest

protestant, adjective, nounprotester or protestor, nounprotestingly, adverb

Word Origin for protest

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

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

protest

OTHER WORDS FOR protest

OPPOSITES FOR protest

Origin of protest

synonym study for protest

OTHER WORDS FROM protest

Words related to protest

How to use protest in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for protest

Derived forms of protest

Word Origin for protest