protest

1 of 2

noun

pro·​test ˈprō-ˌtest How to pronounce protest (audio)
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-
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. The suspect surrendered his gun without protest. She was so upset by their decision that she resigned in protest. The students launched a protest against the tuition increase. Verb The victim's family protested at the judge's sentence. There is no use protesting. I will not change my mind. The coach protested the referee's call. The decision was protested by dozens of people. Students protested at the civil rights rally. They were protesting against the death penalty. Peace activists protested the war. She protested that the law was unfair. “But I'm innocent!” he protested.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Its members have cracked down on Palestinian protests against the war in Gaza. Loveday Morris, Washington Post, 5 Mar. 2024 In a protest supporting Pereira, Mowser resigned from the board on Oct. 27, 2021. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2024 At the time, there were large protests against the measure and Veil was personally attacked, in a France that was still a largely conservative, Catholic country. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR, 4 Mar. 2024 Former Giants manager Gabe Kapler kneeled several times in protest over the death of George Floyd in 2020 and didn’t take to the field for the national anthem in the 2022 season in response to that year’s school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, which left 19 children and two teachers dead. Ben Morse, CNN, 4 Mar. 2024 Iranian singer who won Grammy for Mahsa Amini protest anthem is sentenced to prison in Iran. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2024 Country fans put him at the center of the genre — perhaps partly as protest — through sheer force of adulation. Jon Caramanica, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2024 The government’s campaign to wipe Glory to Hong Kong, a song popularized during 2019 anti-government protests, from the city’s internet has highlighted operational risks for Western tech giants such as Alphabet Inc.’s Google and Meta Platforms Inc. Alan Wong, Fortune Asia, 2 Mar. 2024 Many of the protests across Europe are driven by smaller farmers, disillusioned at national and EU agricultural policy, together with the purchasing power of large super market chains and the political power of ‘large’ farmer groups. Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
Verb
Some 10,000 people protested late Saturday to call for early elections, according to Israeli media. Tia Goldenberg, arkansasonline.com, 4 Mar. 2024 His protest drew national attention and became a frequent talking point from politicians, including former President Donald Trump, who said players should be fired for protesting during the anthem. Jason Mastrodonato, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2024 Hendrix's wailing guitar can soundtrack Vietnam or Civil Rights protest footage or hippy hedonism and be equally at home with either. James Powel, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2024 The brutal visual testimony shed light on injustices that Black communities had been protesting for years. Ebony Flake, Essence, 4 Mar. 2024 Aaron Bushnell tragically made the ultimate sacrifice to protest the active and live genocide. Doris Bittar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2024 Law and Justice legislators and supporters staged a sit-in, protesting new management’s takeover. Lenora Chu, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Mar. 2024 Politicians and citizens grew quickly frustrated and protested the uniform implementation of mask mandates, public gathering restrictions and visitation limits in hospitals and nursing homes. Jenna Barackman, Kansas City Star, 29 Feb. 2024 In Qatar, migrant workers often find themselves in a vulnerable position to protest against passport confiscation, wage theft, and employers’ demand for a no objection certificate (NOC). Samindra Kunti, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'protest.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near protest

Cite this Entry

“Protest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protest. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

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

Medical Definition

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

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