Protest — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈprō-ˌtest/ (noun) /prə-ˈtest/ (verb) pro·test

Meaning & Definition of Protest

Protest (noun)

  1. a solemn declaration of opinion and usually of dissent
  2. a sworn declaration that payment of a note or bill has been refused and that all responsible signers or debtors are liable for resulting loss or damage
  3. a declaration made especially before or while paying that a tax is illegal and that payment is not voluntary

Protest (verb)

  1. to make solemn declaration or affirmation of
  2. to execute or have executed a formal protest against (something, such as a bill or note)
  3. to make a statement or gesture in objection to

Protest (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a feeling or declaration of disapproval or dissent

    "submitted an official protest about her treatment"

    similar: challenge, complaint, demur, demurral, demurrer, difficulty, exception, expostulation, fuss, kick, objection, question, remonstrance, stink
    related: compunction, doubt, misgiving, qualm, scruple, misunderstanding, cavil, niggle (chiefly British), quibble, argument, conflict, debate, dispute, dissent, hassle, quarrel, squabble, static, censure, criticism, defiance, disobedience, rebellion, distrust, distrustfulness, dubiety, dubitation (archaic), incertitude, indetermination, misdoubt, mistrust, mistrustfulness, reservation, skepticism, suspicion, uncertainty, qualmishness, unease, uneasiness, reluctance, unwillingness
    near: willingness, approval, sanction, acceptance, acquiescence, agreement, assent, compliance, obedience

Protest (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to state as a fact usually forcefully

    "he protested that he usually was very good at baseball, and all the strikeouts were just bad luck"

    similar: affirm, allege, assert, aver, avouch, avow, claim, contend, declare, insist, maintain, profess, purport, warrant, put forth
    related: announce, broadcast, proclaim, argue, rationalize, reason, confirm, justify, vindicate, defend, persevere, support, uphold, reaffirm, reassert
    opposite: deny, gainsay
    near: abandon, disavow, disclaim, disown, negate, negative, reject, repudiate, challenge, dispute, question, confute, disprove, rebut, refute, contradict, counter

  2. to present an opposing opinion or argument

    "plans to protest against the judge's ruling regarding admissible evidence"

    similar: demur, except, expostulate, kick, object, remonstrate (with), take exception, take issue
    related: cavil, quibble, challenge, dare, defy, fight, conflict, debate, dispute, hassle, quarrel, squabble, wrangle, beef, bellyache, bitch, bleat, carp, caterwaul, complain, crab, croak, fuss, gripe, grizzle, grouch, grouse, growl, grumble, grump, holler, keen, maunder (chiefly British), moan, murmur, mutter, nag, repine, scream, squawk, squeal, wail, whimper, whine, whinge (British), yammer, yawp, yowl, balk, gag, stick, censure, criticize, denounce, disobey, rebel, withstand, demonstrate
    near: approve, sanction, accept, accede, acquiesce, agree, assent, adhere, comply, conform, follow, mind, obey, observe, advocate, champion, defend, maintain, support, sustain, uphold, applaud, cheer, commend

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Protest

The most common words with a similar meaning to Protest:

challenge, complaint, demur, demurral, demurrer, difficulty, exception, expostulation, fuss, kick, objection, question, remonstrance, stink, affirm, allege, assert, aver, avouch, avow, claim, contend, declare, insist, maintain, profess, purport, warrant, except, expostulate, object, remonstrate (with), put forth, take exception, take issue

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Protest

Words with the opposite meaning of Protest:

deny, gainsay

Related Words for Protest

compunction, doubt, misgiving, qualm, scruple, misunderstanding, cavil, niggle, quibble, argument, conflict, debate, dispute, dissent, hassle, quarrel, squabble, static, censure, criticism, defiance, disobedience, rebellion, distrust, distrustfulness, dubiety, dubitation, incertitude, indetermination, misdoubt

Near Antonyms of Protest

willingness, approval, sanction, acceptance, acquiescence, agreement, assent, compliance, obedience, abandon, disavow, disclaim, disown, negate, negative, reject, repudiate, challenge, dispute, question, confute, disprove, rebut, refute, contradict, counter, approve, accept, accede, acquiesce

Word Forms of Protest

Inflections: protested, protesting, protests

Derived words: protester (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Protest

Middle English, from protester

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Protest

Words & Phrases Containing Protest

under protest, counterprotest

Frequently Asked Questions about Protest

What does "Protest" mean?

"Protest" means a solemn declaration of opinion and usually of dissent. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a solemn declaration of opinion and usually of dissent. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Protest"?

Other words for "Protest" include challenge, complaint, demur, demurral, demurrer, difficulty, exception and expostulation. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Protest" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Protest"?

There are 138 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Protest". Common alternatives include challenge, complaint, demur, demurral, demurrer, difficulty, exception, expostulation, fuss and kick.

What is the opposite of "Protest"?

Antonyms of "Protest" include deny and gainsay. Near antonyms include willingness, approval, sanction and acceptance.

How do you use "Protest" in a sentence?

Examples of "Protest" in a sentence: "submitted an official protest about her treatment"; "he protested that he usually was very good at baseball, and all the strikeouts were just bad luck"; "plans to protest against the judge's ruling regarding admissible evidence".

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

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

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

As a B1-level word, "Protest" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.

How do you pronounce "Protest"?

"Protest" is pronounced /ˈprō-ˌtest/ as a noun and /prə-ˈtest/ as a verb and divided into syllables as pro·test.