Dissent — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /di-ˈsent/ dis·sent

Meaning & Definition of Dissent

Dissent (verb)

  1. to withhold assent or approval
  2. to differ in opinion

Dissent (noun)

  1. difference of opinion
  2. religious nonconformity
  3. a judge's or justice's nonconcurrence with a decision of the majority; especially, a separate opinion by a judge or justice that differs from the decision of the court —called also dissenting opinion

Dissent (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a lack of agreement or harmony

    "considerable dissent within the party's rank and file"

    similar: conflict, disaccord, discord, discordance, discordancy, disharmony, dissension, dissidence, dissonance, disunion, disunity, division, friction, infighting, inharmony, schism, strife, variance, war, warfare
    related: clash, collision, competition, contention, altercation, argument, bicker, brawl, debate, disagreement, dispute, divide, fissure, falling-out, fight, hassle, jar, miff, mix-up, quarrel, row, run-in, scrap, spat, squabble, tiff, wrangle, incompatibility, incongruence, incongruity, incongruousness, inconsistence, inconsistency, inconsonance, inharmoniousness, animosity, antagonism, antipathy, cold war, enmity, hostility, ill will, rancor
    opposite: accord, agreement, concord, concordance, harmony, peace
    near: concurrence, cooperation

  2. departure from a generally accepted theory, opinion, or practice

    "the church reacted to any form of dissent by promptly excommunicating its proponents"

    similar: dissidence, heresy, heterodoxy, nonconformity
    related: error, fallacy, falsehood, misbelief, misconception, myth, apostasy, defection, infidelity, schism, scission, sectarianism, separatism, deviance, deviation, iconoclasm, unconventionality, disagreement, discord, dissension
    opposite: conformity, orthodoxy
    near: agreement, conformation, conventionality

Dissent (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to have a different opinion

    "anyone who dissented was encouraged to speak out while they had the chance"

    similar: differ, disagree, nonconcur, take issue
    related: clash, collide, conflict, contrast, counter, debate, object, oppose, protest, resist, contest, dispute, argue, bicker, fall out, quarrel
    opposite: agree, assent, concur
    near: accede, accept, acquiesce, comply, consent, defer, subscribe, affiliate, ally, associate, collaborate, collude, come round, compromise, cooperate, get along, side

Related Entry: Dissent (from) (verb)

Dissent (from) is a different word from Dissent. The synonyms below are for dissent (from), not for dissent.

  1. as in oppose, object (to)

    similar: object (to), oppose, detest, hate, loathe, dislike, mind, blacklist, censure, condemn, criticize, damn, denounce, deprecate, depreciate, disparage, reprehend, reprobate, disapprove (of), discountenance, disfavor, frown (on or upon)
    opposite: accept, approve (of), care (for), countenance, favor, OK, subscribe (to), acclaim, applaud, laud, praise, salute, back (up), concur (in), stand by, support, sustain, uphold

Related Entry: Dissent (to) (verb)

Dissent (to) is a different word from Dissent. The synonyms below are for dissent (to), not for dissent.

  1. as in oppose, protest

    similar: object (to), oppose, protest, decline, deny, disallow, disapprove, negative, refuse, reject, spurn, turn down, veto, hold off, resist, withstand, combat, contest, fight
    opposite: accept, have, take, accede (to), assent (to), concede (to), confirm, consent (to), OK, ratify, sanction, warrant, acquiesce (to), bow (to), capitulate (to), give in (to), submit (to), succumb (to), surrender (to), yield (to)

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Dissent

The most common words with a similar meaning to Dissent:

conflict, disaccord, discord, discordance, discordancy, disharmony, dissension, dissidence, dissonance, disunion, disunity, division, friction, infighting, inharmony, schism, strife, variance, war, warfare, heresy, heterodoxy, nonconformity, differ, disagree, nonconcur, take issue

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Dissent

Words with the opposite meaning of Dissent:

accord, agreement, concord, concordance, harmony, peace, conformity, orthodoxy, agree, assent, concur

Related Words for Dissent

clash, collision, competition, contention, altercation, argument, bicker, brawl, debate, disagreement, dispute, divide, fissure, falling-out, fight, hassle, jar, miff, mix-up, quarrel, row, run-in, scrap, spat, squabble, tiff, wrangle, incompatibility, incongruence, incongruity

Near Antonyms of Dissent

concurrence, cooperation, conformation, conventionality, accede, accept, acquiesce, comply, consent, defer, subscribe, affiliate, ally, associate, collaborate, collude, come round, compromise, cooperate, get along, side

Word Forms of Dissent

Inflections: dissented, dissenting, dissents

Origin & Etymology of Dissent

Middle English, from Latin dissentire, from dis- + sentire to feel sense

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Dissent

Frequently Asked Questions about Dissent

What does "Dissent" mean?

"Dissent" means to withhold assent or approval. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to withhold assent or approval. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Dissent"?

Other words for "Dissent" include conflict, disaccord, discord, discordance, discordancy, disharmony, dissension and dissidence. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Dissent" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Dissent"?

There are 96 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Dissent". Common alternatives include conflict, disaccord, discord, discordance, discordancy, disharmony, dissension, dissidence, dissonance and disunion.

What is the opposite of "Dissent"?

Antonyms of "Dissent" include accord, agreement, concord, concordance, harmony, peace, conformity and orthodoxy. Near antonyms include concurrence, cooperation, conformation and conventionality.

How do you use "Dissent" in a sentence?

Examples of "Dissent" in a sentence: "considerable dissent within the party's rank and file"; "the church reacted to any form of dissent by promptly excommunicating its proponents"; "anyone who dissented was encouraged to speak out while they had the chance".

Is "Dissent" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Dissent" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Dissent" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Dissent" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Dissent"?

"Dissent" is pronounced /di-ˈsent/ and divided into syllables as dis·sent.