First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1protest
noun pro·test \ˈprō-ˌtest\
: something said or done that shows disagreement with or disapproval of something
: an event at which people gather together to show strong disapproval about something
Full Definition of PROTEST
1
: a solemn declaration of opinion and usually of dissent: 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
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Origin of PROTEST
Middle English, from protester
Related to PROTEST
- Synonyms
- challenge, complaint, demur, demurral, demurrer, difficulty, exception, expostulation, fuss, kick, objection, question, remonstrance, stink
Rhymes with PROTEST
abreast, abscessed, appressed, armrest, arrest, at best, at rest, attest, backrest, beau geste, bed rest, behest, bequest, blood test, congest, conquest, contest, crow's nest, depressed, detest, devest, digest, distressed, divest, egest, eighth rest, field-test, flight-test, footrest, gabfest, half rest, hard-pressed, headrest, high-test, hillcrest, hope chest, houseguest, imprest, incest, infest, ingest, inquest, interest, invest, Key West, lovefest, love nest, Mae West, mare's nest, Midwest, molest, northwest, patch test, posttest, pretest, professed, redbreast, repressed, request, revest, road test, scratch test, screen test, sea chest, skin test, slop chest, slugfest, southwest, spot test, steam chest, stress test, suggest, Trieste, t-test, unblessed, undressed, unrest, unstressed, war chest, whole rest, Wild West
2protest
verb pro·test \prə-ˈtest, ˈprō-ˌ, prō-ˈ\
: to show or express strong disagreement with or disapproval of something ( US )
: to show or express strong disapproval of something at a public event with other people ( US )
: to say (something that other people do not agree with or believe) in a forceful way
Full Definition of PROTEST
transitive verb
1
: to make solemn declaration or affirmation of <protest my innocence>
2
: to execute or have executed a formal protest against (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
— pro·test·er or pro·tes·tor \-ˈtes-tər, -ˌtes-\ noun
See protest defined for English-language learners
Origin of PROTEST
Related to PROTEST
Synonym Discussion of 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>.
PROTESTOR Defined for Kids
1protest
verb pro·test \prə-ˈtest\
pro·test·edpro·test·ing
Definition of PROTEST for Kids
1
: to complain strongly about : object to <Fans protested the umpire's decision.>
2
: to declare positively : assert <He protested his innocence.>
— pro·test·er \prə-ˈte-stər, ˈprō-ˌte-stər\ noun
2protest
noun pro·test \ˈprō-ˌtest\
Definition of PROTEST for Kids
1
: a complaint or objection against an idea, an act, or a way of doing things
2
: an event in which people gather to show disapproval of something
Medical Dictionary
protest
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