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protest

noun
pro·​test | \ ˈprō-ˌtest How to pronounce protest (audio) \

Definition of protest

 (Entry 1 of 2)

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

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

Definition of protest (Entry 2 of 2)

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

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Other Words from protest

Verb

protester or protestor \ prə-​ˈte-​stər How to pronounce protest (audio) , ˈprō-​ˌte-​ , prō-​ˈte-​ \ noun

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Verb

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.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun At least 237 people were arrested while the hearing was taking place, days after more than 5,000 people were detained across the country for protesting in support of Navalny, according to the independent OVD-Info protest monitoring group. NBC News, "Alexei Navalny, leading Putin critic, faces trial as over 200 supporters arrested outside court," 2 Feb. 2021 During Sunday’s protest, police detained 5,300 people throughout Russia, though many were released later in the day. Andrew E. Kramer, BostonGlobe.com, "Severe punishment awaits protesters in Russia, Kremlin says," 1 Feb. 2021 Violent protest activities are escalating on this project. Jason George, Star Tribune, "Counterpoint: Anti-pipeline officials didn't talk to workers," 1 Feb. 2021 Navalny's team initially called for Sunday's protest to be held on Moscow's Lubyanka Square, home to the main headquarters of the Federal Security Service, which Navalny claims was responsible for his poisoning. Fox News, "Russia arrests over 1,000 people demanding Navalny's release," 31 Jan. 2021 In a series of three protest marches, activists walked the 54-mile stretch of highway between Selma, Alabama, to the capitol building in Montgomery to advocate for Black Americans’ right to vote. Chloe Castleberry, Better Homes & Gardens, "What Is Black History Month? Learn How It Started and How You Can Celebrate This Year," 30 Jan. 2021 Kaepernick's protest was part of a continuing national debate about law enforcement's unequal treatment of Black people. Amir Vera, CNN, "What exactly does it mean to be a patriot? Experts say it's not easy to define," 30 Jan. 2021 The following month, Manisha's name appeared on protest signs across New Delhi, India's capital city, and in other cities in across Uttar Pradesh. Britni De La Cretaz, refinery29.com, "Dalit Women In India Are Facing A Sexual Violence Epidemic — & Fighting Back," 30 Jan. 2021 His office keeps a running tally of protest cases on its website. oregonlive, "Portland protests shape District Attorney Mike Schmidt’s young tenure: Now what?," 30 Jan. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb When Robison’s Fort Worth affiliate took him off the air for making the claim, his supporters filled a basketball arena to protest. Rick Perlstein, The New Republic, "The Trump Era Was Always Going to End in Violence," 20 Jan. 2021 In Washington, the Eighty Percent Coalition, a group allied with President Trump, withdrew their request for a permit to protest near the Capitol on Saturday afternoon, but some Trump supporters still came to the area. Los Angeles Times, "Police and National Guard scramble to secure D.C. and state capitols," 16 Jan. 2021 At least 100 people first appeared outside Sununu’s home to protest the order on Nov. 22. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, "‘Diddy’ delivers, chicken coops, New Year’s Eve restrictions: News from around our 50 states," 31 Dec. 2020 Despite the threats in Lansing, only a small crowd of Trump supporters showed up to protest the electoral college vote on Monday. Katie Shepherd, Washington Post, "A Michigan Republican refused to rule out violence in electoral college protests. Now he’s lost his committee seats.," 15 Dec. 2020 Trump supporters gathered to protest in Washington on Saturday, at times clashing with counterprotesters and police. Mark Niquette, Fortune, "Electoral College to meet Monday to officially elect Joe Biden, as Trump’s attempts to overturn vote meets the “end of the road”," 14 Dec. 2020 Trump supporters gathered to protest in Washington on Saturday, at times clashing with counterprotesters and police. Mark Niquette, Bloomberg.com, "Biden’s Nod From Electors Could Seal His Win With Some in GOP," 14 Dec. 2020 By the summer, teachers carrying handmade coffins were holding rallies to protest what many said was the mayor’s playing down of their fears about safety in classrooms. Eliza Shapiro, New York Times, "How de Blasio Backed Himself Into a Corner on Closing Schools," 24 Nov. 2020 Adebajo, who spoke during the event, said people in the United States have an obligation to protest on behalf of those still in Nigeria, who face more danger. Justin Phillips, SFChronicle.com, "S.F.'s only Nigerian restaurant is using free food for a different kind of police violence activism," 16 Nov. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'protest.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of protest

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

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

History and Etymology for protest

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

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Time Traveler for protest

Time Traveler

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

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Statistics for protest

Last Updated

8 Feb 2021

Cite this Entry

“Protest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protest. Accessed 18 Feb. 2021.

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More Definitions for protest

protest

noun
How to pronounce protest (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of protest

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: 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

protest

verb
How to pronounce protest (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of protest (Entry 2 of 2)

: to show or express strong disagreement with or disapproval of something
: to show or express strong disapproval of something at a public event with other people
: to say (something that other people do not agree with or believe) in a forceful way

protest

verb
pro·​test | \ prə-ˈtest How to pronounce protest (audio) \
protested; protesting

Kids Definition of protest

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : to complain strongly about : object to Fans protested the umpire's decision.
2 : to declare positively : assert He protested his innocence.

Other Words from protest

protester \ prə-​ˈte-​stər , ˈprō-​ˌte-​stər \ noun

protest

noun
pro·​test | \ ˈprō-ˌtest How to pronounce protest (audio) \

Kids Definition of protest (Entry 2 of 2)

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

protest

Medical Definition of protest

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protest

noun
pro·​test

Legal Definition of protest

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
under protest
: with noted objections (as of insufficient payment) and claims cashed a check under protest

Other Words from protest

protest verb

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Comments on protest

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