Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense protests, present participle protesting, past tense, past participle protestedpronunciation note: The verb is pronounced (prətest). The noun is pronounced (proʊtest).
1. verb
If you protestagainst something or about something, you say or show publicly that you object to it. In American English, you usually say that you protest it.
Groups of women took to the streets to protest against the arrests. [V + about/against/at]
The students were protesting at overcrowding in the university hostels. [V + about/against/at]
They were protesting soaring prices. [VERB noun]
He picked up the cat before Rosa could protest. [VERB]
Synonyms: object, demonstrate, oppose, complain More Synonyms of protest
2. variable noun
A protest is the act of saying or showing publicly that you object to something.
The opposition now seems too weak to stage any serious protests against the government. [+ against]
The unions called a two-hour strike in protest at the railway authority's announcement. [+ at]
...a protest march.
[Also + about]
3. verb
If you protestthat something is the case, you insist that it is the case, when other people think that it may not be.
When we tried to protest that Mo was beaten up they didn't believe us. [VERB that]
'I never said any of that to her,' he protested. [VERB with quote]
He has always protested his innocence. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: assert, argue, insist, maintain More Synonyms of protest
4. countable noun [usu N that]
A protestthat something is true is a strong declaration that it is true.
That was how she usually dealt with their protests that she was spoiling her grandchildren.
More Synonyms of protest
protest in British English
noun (ˈprəʊtɛst)
1.
a.
public, often organized, dissent or manifestation of such dissent
b.
(as modifier)
a protest march
2.
a declaration or objection that is formal or solemn
3.
an expression of disagreement or complaint
without a squeak of protest
4.
a.
a formal notarial statement drawn up on behalf of a creditor and declaring that the debtor has dishonoured a bill of exchange or promissory note
b.
the action of drawing up such a statement
c.
a formal declaration by a taxpayer disputing the legality or accuracy of his or her assessment
5.
a statement made by the master of a vessel attesting to the circumstances in which the vessel was damaged or imperilled
6.
the act of protesting
7. under protest
verb (prəˈtɛst)
8. (whenintr, foll by against, at, about, etc; when tr, may take a clause as object)
to make a strong objection (to something, esp a supposed injustice or offence)
9. (when tr, may take a clause as object)
to assert or affirm in a formal or solemn manner
10. (when tr, may take a clause as object)
to put up arguments against; disagree; complain; object
"I'm okay," she protested
he protested that it was not his turn to wash up
11. (transitive) mainly US
to object forcefully to
leaflets protesting police brutality
12. (transitive)
to declare formally that (a bill of exchange or promissory note) has been dishonoured
Derived forms
protestant (proˈtestant)
adjective, noun
protester (proˈtester) or protestor (proˈtestor)
noun
protestingly (proˈtestingly)
adverb
Word origin
C14: from Latin prōtestārī to make a formal declaration, from prō- before + testārī to assert
protest in American English
(proʊˈtɛst; prəˈtɛst; also, and for n. always ˈproʊˌtɛst)
verb transitive
1.
to state positively; affirm solemnly; assert
2. US
to make objection to; speak strongly against
3.
to make a written declaration of the nonpayment of (a bill of exchange or a promissory note)
verb intransitive
4.
to make solemn affirmation
5.
to express disapproval; object; dissent
noun
6.
an objection; remonstrance
7.
a document formally objecting to something
8. Law
a.
a written declaration by a notary on behalf of the holder of a bill or note, showing that it has not been honored by the drawer
b.
a written declaration by the master of a ship attesting to the fact that damages or losses were sustained from unavoidable natural causes, and rejecting any liability of the officers and crew
c.
a declaration by a payer, esp. of a tax, disputing the legality or the amount of the payment being made
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈobject
Idioms:
under protest
Derived forms
protester (ˈproˌtester)
noun or ˈproˌtestor
Word origin
ME protesten < MFr protester < L protestari < pro-, pro-2 + testari, to affirm < testis, witness: see testify
Examples of 'protest' in a sentence
protest
Police fired tear gas to disperse doctors protesting about salaries.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The pair have protested their innocence throughout.
The Sun (2016)
The outcry follows a Venetian protest march against the waves of tourists overwhelming their city.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In 1974 campaigners occupied the office building to protest about it being left empty during a housing crisis.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
More than a million people took to the streets earlier this month to protest against the government 's efforts to slow the process down.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Now protests are growing.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
A few years back, over strenuous public protests, that vantage point was overtaken.
Smithsonian Mag (2017)
This is not a time for protest votes.
The Sun (2014)
Some women were marching in protest at the treatment of women in other cultures.
The Sun (2011)
He is furious and expects his friends and colleagues to walk out in protest at the injustice.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It documents dozens of cases where security forces opened fire on peaceful protests.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Nearly two months ago he began a hunger strike in protest at his treatment.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Britain would issue a formal written protest.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Which is the oldest protest song without a tune.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Local protest groups are now gearing up for another fight.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Yesterday saw a damp day of protest on its behalf.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Otherwise why have doctors and nurses not protested in public about the disgraceful scenes on their wards?
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
There were also reports that some of the police had switched sides and joined the protests.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He has always vigorously protested his innocence.
The Sun (2012)
Greece has been rocked by riots and industrial action in protest over spending cuts by the government.
The Sun (2010)
Please be careful what you wish for when you cast a protest vote.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Bishops did not organise the protest but it was clear that they had been pulling the strings behind the scenes.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Or is it a protest march?
Christianity Today (2000)
The march was in protest at a government edict making Afrikaans compulsory in schools.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
One of those passive protests, where one lies down nobly in front of the bulldozers.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Given received a caution himself for his protests and those complaints continued at the half-time whistle.
The Sun (2010)
The opposition called a protest to demand the president's resignation.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Unions will stage a protest today against the plans, which they say are deeply unpopular.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
How dare he publicly protest the occupation of Afghanistan?
The Sun (2011)
Yet some of the most controversial clauses were edited out of the text months ago to pacify a first wave of protest over the bill.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Quotations
The lady doth protest too much methinksWilliam ShakespeareHamlet
In other languages
protest
British English: protest /prəˈtɛst/ NOUN
A protest is the act of saying or showing publicly that you do not approve of something.
...a protest against the new law.
American English: protest
Arabic: إِحْتِجَاج
Brazilian Portuguese: protesto
Chinese: 抗议
Croatian: protest
Czech: protest
Danish: protest
Dutch: protest
European Spanish: protesta
Finnish: protesti
French: protestation
German: Protest
Greek: διαμαρτυρία
Italian: protesta
Japanese: 抗議
Korean: 항의
Norwegian: protest
Polish: protest
European Portuguese: protesto
Romanian: protest
Russian: протест
Latin American Spanish: protesta
Swedish: protestera
Thai: การประท้วง
Turkish: protesto
Ukrainian: протест
Vietnamese: sự phản đối
British English: protest /prəˈtest/ VERB
To protest means to say or show publicly that you do not agree with something.
Groups of women protested against the arrests.
He picked up the cat before its owner could protest.
American English: protest
Arabic: يَعْتَرِضُ
Brazilian Portuguese: protestar
Chinese: 抗议
Croatian: protestirati
Czech: protestovat
Danish: protestere
Dutch: protesteren
European Spanish: protestar
Finnish: protestoida
French: protester
German: protestieren
Greek: διαμαρτύρομαι
Italian: protestare
Japanese: 抗議する
Korean: 항의하다
Norwegian: protestere
Polish: zaprotestować
European Portuguese: protestar
Romanian: a protesta
Russian: протестовать
Latin American Spanish: protestar
Swedish: protest
Thai: ประท้วง
Turkish: protesto etmek
Ukrainian: протестувати
Vietnamese: phản đối
All related terms of 'protest'
protest march
→ another name for protest demonstration
protest song
A song is words sung to a tune .
protest vote
In an election , a protest vote is a vote against the party you usually support in order to show disapproval of something they are doing or planning to do.
under protest
having voiced objections ; unwillingly
protest letter
If you write a letter to someone, you write a message on paper and send it to them, usually by post .
protest movement
A movement is a group of people who share the same beliefs, ideas, or aims .
protest demonstration
a manifestation of protest by public rally , parade , etc
Chinese translation of 'protest'
protest
(nˈprəutɛst; vbprəˈtɛst)
n(c/u)
抗议(議) (kàngyì) (个(個), gè)
vi
to protest about/against/at sth (Brit) 抗议(議)某事 (kàngyì mǒushì)
vt
(= claim) 申辩(辯) (shēnbiàn)
(US, = voice opposition to) 示威 (shìwēi)
to protest that ... 坚(堅)决(決)声(聲)明 ... (jiānjué shēngmíng ... )
1 (verb)
Women took to the streets to protest against the arrests.
Synonyms
object
We objected strongly.
demonstrate
Vast crowds have been demonstrating against the reforms.
oppose
complain
disagree
cry out
disapprove
say no to
demur
At first I demurred when he asked me to do it.
take exception
remonstrate (formal)
He remonstrated with the referee.
kick against (informal)
expostulate
`Have some sense!' he expostulated.
take up the cudgels
express disapproval
2 (verb)
Definition
to assert in a formal or solemn manner
`I never said that,' he protested.
Synonyms
assert
We assert that the bill violates the First Amendment.
argue
His lawyers are arguing that he is unfit to stand trial.
insist
He insisted that he was acting out of compassion.
maintain
Prosecutors maintain that no deal was made.
declare
He declared his intention to become the best golfer in the world.
vow
She vowed that some day she would return to live in France.
testify
Several eye witnesses testified that they had seen the fight.
contend
The government contends that he is a fundamentalist.
affirm
`The place is a dump,' she affirmed.
profess
He professed that he was content with the arrangements.
attest
Records attest to his long history of violence.
avow
a public statement avowing neutrality
asseverate (formal)
1 (noun)
Definition
to take part in a public demonstration to express one's support for or disapproval of an action, proposal, etc.
The opposition staged a protest against the government.
Synonyms
demonstration
Thousands of peeople attended the demonstration.
march
Organisers expect up to 3000 people to join the march.
rally
sit-in
demo (informal)
hikoi (New Zealand)
2 (noun)
Definition
a strong objection
a protest against people's growing economic hardship
Synonyms
objection
This objection has obviously been dropped.
complaint
There have been a number of complaints about the standard of service.
declaration
dissent
He has responded harshly to any dissent.
outcry
She was later reinstated in her job after a public outcry.
disapproval
His action had been greeted with almost universal disapproval.
protestation
Graham's protestation that he has been unjustly treated
demur
She entered without demur.
formal complaint
remonstrance
demurral
Quotation
The lady doth protest too much methinks [William Shakespeare – Hamlet]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of affirm
Definition
to declare to be true
`The place is a dump,' she affirmed.
Synonyms
declare,
state,
maintain,
swear,
assert,
testify,
pronounce,
certify,
attest,
avow,
aver,
asseverate (formal),
avouch
in the sense of argue
Definition
to try to prove by presenting reasons
His lawyers are arguing that he is unfit to stand trial.
Synonyms
claim,
question,
reason,
challenge,
insist,
maintain,
hold,
allege,
plead,
assert,
contend,
uphold,
profess,
remonstrate (formal),
expostulate
in the sense of asseverate
Definition
to declare solemnly
Synonyms
declare,
state,
maintain,
protest,
swear,
assert,
pronounce,
affirm,
profess,
attest,
predicate,
avow,
aver,
avouch (archaic)
Synonyms of 'protest'
protest
Explore 'protest' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of attest
Definition
to affirm or prove the truth of
Records attest to his long history of violence.
Synonyms
testify,
show,
prove,
confirm,
display,
declare,
witness,
demonstrate,
seal,
swear,
exhibit,
warrant,
assert,
manifest,
give evidence,
invoke,
ratify,
affirm,
certify,
verify,
bear out,
substantiate,
corroborate,
bear witness,
authenticate,
vouch for,
evince (formal),
aver,
adjure
in the sense of avow
Definition
to state or affirm
a public statement avowing neutrality
Synonyms
state,
maintain,
declare,
allege,
recognize,
swear,
assert,
proclaim,
affirm,
profess,
aver,
asseverate
in the sense of complaint
Definition
a formal protest
There have been a number of complaints about the standard of service.
Synonyms
protest,
accusation,
objection,
grievance,
remonstrance (formal),
charge
in the sense of contend
Definition
to assert
The government contends that he is a fundamentalist.
Synonyms
argue,
hold,
maintain,
allege,
assert,
affirm,
avow,
aver
in the sense of declare
Definition
to state firmly and forcefully
He declared his intention to become the best golfer in the world.
Synonyms
state,
claim,
announce,
voice,
express,
maintain,
confirm,
assert,
proclaim,
pronounce,
utter,
notify,
affirm,
profess,
avow,
aver,
asseverate (formal)
in the sense of demonstrate
Definition
to show support or opposition by public parades or rallies
Vast crowds have been demonstrating against the reforms.
Synonyms
march,
protest,
rally,
object,
parade,
picket,
say no to,
remonstrate (formal),
take up the cudgels,
express disapproval,
hikoi (New Zealand)
in the sense of demur
Definition
to show reluctance
At first I demurred when he asked me to do it.
Synonyms
object,
refuse,
protest,
doubt,
dispute,
pause,
disagree,
hesitate,
waver,
balk,
take exception,
cavil
in the sense of demur
Definition
without objecting
She entered without demur.
Synonyms
objection,
protest,
dissent,
hesitation,
misgiving,
qualm,
scruple,
compunction,
demurral,
demurrer
in the sense of disapproval
His action had been greeted with almost universal disapproval.
Synonyms
displeasure,
criticism,
objection,
condemnation,
dissatisfaction,
censure,
reproach,
denunciation,
deprecation,
disapprobation,
stick (slang)
in the sense of dissent
Definition
a disagreement
He has responded harshly to any dissent.
Synonyms
disagreement,
opposition,
protest,
resistance,
refusal,
objection,
discord,
demur,
dissension,
dissidence,
nonconformity,
remonstrance
Additional synonyms
in the sense of expostulate
`Have some sense!' he expostulated.
Synonyms
protest,
reason (with),
argue (with),
dissuade,
remonstrate (with)
in the sense of insist
Definition
to express a convinced belief (in) or assertion (of)
He insisted that he was acting out of compassion.
Synonyms
assert,
state,
maintain,
hold,
claim,
declare,
repeat,
vow,
swear,
contend,
affirm,
reiterate,
profess,
avow,
aver,
asseverate (formal)
in the sense of maintain
Definition
to assert
Prosecutors maintain that no deal was made.
Synonyms
assert,
state,
hold,
claim,
insist,
declare,
allege,
contend,
affirm,
profess,
avow,
aver,
asseverate (formal)
in the sense of march
Definition
an organized protest in which a large group of people walk somewhere together
Organisers expect up to 3000 people to join the march.
Synonyms
demonstration,
parade,
procession,
demo (informal)
in the sense of outcry
Definition
a widespread or vehement protest
She was later reinstated in her job after a public outcry.
Synonyms
protest,
complaint,
objection,
cry,
dissent,
outburst,
disapproval,
clamour,
uproar,
commotion,
protestation,
exclamation,
formal complaint,
hue and cry,
hullaballoo,
demurral
in the sense of profess
Definition
to acknowledge openly
He professed that he was content with the arrangements.
Synonyms
state,
admit,
announce,
maintain,
own,
confirm,
declare,
acknowledge,
confess,
assert,
proclaim,
affirm,
certify,
avow,
vouch,
aver,
asseverate (formal)
in the sense of protestation
Graham's protestation that he has been unjustly treated
Synonyms
objection,
protest,
complaint,
disagreement,
dissent,
remonstrance,
expostulation,
remonstration
in the sense of remonstrate
Definition
to argue in protest or objection
He remonstrated with the referee.
Synonyms
protest,
challenge,
argue,
take issue,
object,
complain,
dispute,
dissent,
take exception,
expostulate
in the sense of testify
Definition
to declare or give evidence under oath, esp. in court
Several eye witnesses testified that they had seen the fight.
Synonyms
bear witness,
state,
swear,
certify,
declare,
witness,
assert,
affirm,
depose,
attest,
corroborate,
vouch,
evince,
give testimony,
asseverate (formal)
in the sense of vow
Definition
to promise or decide solemnly
She vowed that some day she would return to live in France.