protest

1 of 2

noun

pro·​test ˈprō-ˌtest How to pronounce protest (audio)
Synonyms of protestnext
1
: a solemn declaration of opinion and usually of dissent: such as
a
: 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
b
: a declaration made especially before or while paying that a tax is illegal and that payment is not voluntary
2
: the act of objecting or a gesture of disapproval
resigned in protest
especially : a usually organized public demonstration of disapproval
3
: a complaint, objection, or display of unwillingness usually to an idea or a course of action
went under protest
4
: an objection made to an official or a governing body of a sport

protest

2 of 2

verb

pro·​test prə-ˈtest How to pronounce protest (audio)
ˈprō-ˌtest,
prō-ˈtest
protested; protesting; protests

transitive verb

1
: to make solemn declaration or affirmation of
protest my innocence
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
protested the abuses of human rights

intransitive verb

1
: to make a protestation
2
: to make or enter a protest
protester noun
or protestor
prə-ˈte-stər How to pronounce protest (audio)
ˈprō-ˌte-,
prō-ˈte-

Synonyms

Noun

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for protest

assert, declare, affirm, protest, avow mean to state positively usually in anticipation of denial or objection.

assert implies stating confidently without need for proof or regard for evidence.

asserted that modern music is just noise

declare stresses open or public statement.

declared her support for the candidate

affirm implies conviction based on evidence, experience, or faith.

affirmed the existence of an afterlife

protest emphasizes affirming in the face of denial or doubt.

protested that he really had been misquoted

avow stresses frank declaration and acknowledgment of personal responsibility for what is declared.

avowed that all investors would be repaid in full

Examples of protest in a Sentence

Noun He heard protests from the crowd. She told him to go to bed despite his protests that he wasn't tired. There were cries of protest when the verdict was announced.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
McCabe then granted Herzfeld’s request that the court order the two protest leaders who had filed the petitions against Herzfeld to pay the sum of $181,526 in attorneys’ fees and costs. — Steven Lieberman, New York Daily News, 13 Mar. 2025 Protesters entered the lobby in two groups, including many who entered the public lobby area in civilian clothes hiding their protest gear underneath, according to police. — Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
The move has been met with controversy as a number of Syrian Druze have protested the Israeli overture and occupation. — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025 But Chelsea is teflon to the insults and Rick protests much about his annoyance with her. — Joe Joyce, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for protest

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from protester

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French protester, from Latin protestari, from pro- forth + testari to call to witness — more at pro-, testament

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of protest was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing protest

Rhymes for protest

See All Rhymes for protest

Browse Nearby Words

protest
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Protest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protest. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

protest

1 of 2 noun
pro·​test ˈprō-ˌtest How to pronounce protest (audio)
: a complaint, objection, or display of unwillingness or disapproval

protest

2 of 2 verb
pro·​test prə-ˈtest How to pronounce protest (audio)
ˈprō-ˌtest,
prō-ˈtest
1
: to declare positively : assert
protested their innocence
2
a
: to make a protest against
protested the higher tax rate
b
: to object strongly
protest against a new highway
protester noun
or protestor
-ˈtes-tər How to pronounce protest (audio)
-tes-

Medical Definition

protest

see masculine protest

Legal Definition

protest

noun
pro·​test
1
: a solemn declaration of opinion and usually of disagreement: as
a
: a solemn written declaration by a notary public or U.S. consul on behalf of the holder of an instrument (as a note) announcing dishonor and declaring the liability of all parties to the instrument for any loss or damage arising from such action
also : the action of making or causing to be made such a declaration with due service of notice of dishonor
b
: a declaration made by the master of a ship before a notary, consul, or other authorized officer upon arrival in port after a disaster declaring that any loss was not the fault of the crew but due to the disaster
c
: a declaration made by a party especially before or while paying a tax or performing a demanded act by which the declarer asserts that the justice or legality of the tax or act is disputed and that compliance is not voluntary
2
: the act of objecting or a gesture of disapproval
especially : a usually organized public demonstration of disapproval
protest verb

More from Merriam-Webster on protest

Nglish: Translation of protest for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

More Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular Features

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
number-twelve-balloon
12-Letter Words Quiz A dozen words, a dozen letters each.
See All