protestnoun
uk/ˈprəʊ.test/us/proʊˈtest/[ C or U ] a strong complaint expressing disagreement, disapproval, or opposition:
Protests have been made/registered by many people who would be affected by the proposed changes.
A formal protest was made by the German team about their disqualification from the relay final.
Conservation groups have united in protest against the planned new road.
B2 [ C ] an occasion when people show that they disagree with something by standing somewhere, shouting, carrying signs, etc.:
a public protest against the war
a peaceful/violent protest
under protest
If something is done under protest, it is done unwillingly:
I only went to the meeting under protest.
More examples
- The authorities have put tanks on the streets to discourage any protest.
- My letter of protest was just a drop in the ocean.
- They believe only in peaceable, non-violent protest.
- The lecturers joined the protest march to show solidarity with their students.
- One member of the committee resigned in protest at the changes.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Opposing & against
- against
- anti
- anti-
- antithesis
- boycott
- bugger, sod, etc. this for a lark! idiom
- conscientious objector
- counter
- defy
- detractor
- down with...! idiom
- foam pie
- go against sth/sb
- objection
- objector
- oppose
- opposing
- point of order
- run against sb/sth
- stand
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Complaining
Activism & pressure groups
Unwilling and reluctant
protestverb [ I or T ]
uk/prəˈtest/us/ˈproʊ.test/B2 to show that you disagree with something by standing somewhere, shouting, carrying signs, etc.:
A big crowd of demonstrators were protesting against cuts in health spending.
especially US Outside, a group of students were protesting research cuts.
B2 to say something forcefully or complain about something:
Lots of people protested about the new working hours.
They protested bitterly to their employers, but to no avail.
[ + that ] A young girl was crying, protesting that she didn't want to leave her mother.
All through the trial he protested his innocence (= strongly said he was not guilty).
More examples
- We protested about the changes for a long time, but in the end we had to submit.
- Demonstrators protested angrily following the jury's verdict.
- "But I can't go to the dance without an escort, " she protested.
- Students and workers were out on the streets protesting against the cuts.
- The students are holding a demonstration to protest against the increase in their fees.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Opposing & against
- against
- anti
- anti-
- antithesis
- boycott
- bugger, sod, etc. this for a lark! idiom
- conscientious objector
- counter
- defy
- detractor
- down with...! idiom
- foam pie
- go against sth/sb
- objection
- objector
- oppose
- opposing
- point of order
- run against sb/sth
- stand
See more results »
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Complaining
Idiom(s)
protest too much