protest

pruh-TEST/pɹəˈtɛst/

As a nounPROH-test

Verbprotests, protesting, protested

Noun pluralprotests

11 meanings of protest

Practice

1
verbintransitive
To say strongly that you do not agree with something.
Like shouting "that's not fair!" when something seems wrong.
Workers protest whenever their hours get cut without warning.
She protested loudly when the referee ignored the foul.
Similarobject, complain
Oppositeagree, consent
Note
2
nouncountable or uncountable
A public event where many people gather to show they do not agree with something.
Like a big crowd holding signs to say something is wrong.
Thousands joined the protest outside the city hall.
The protest stayed peaceful all afternoon.
Similardemonstration, rally
Note
3
nouncountable
A formal complaint, often made by a group, against a decision or action.
Like writing a complaint letter when you think a rule is unfair.
The team filed a protest after the disputed call.
Their written protest reached the committee the next day.
Similarobjection, complaint, challenge
Note
4
verbCanadaUStransitive
To publicly oppose something by joining a demonstration against it.
Like a crowd marching to say "we don't want this."
Students protested the tuition increase outside the administration building.
Thousands gathered to protest the new law.
Note
5
verbtransitive
To say that you do not like or agree with something.
Like saying "I don't agree with that" out loud.
Citizens protest any law they consider unfair.
She protested the decision to cut the budget.
Similaroppose, contest, challenge, dispute
Oppositesupport, accept, endorse
6
verbtransitive
To say firmly that something is true.
Like saying "I really mean it!" to show you are telling the truth.
They protest their innocence whenever anyone accuses them.
She protested her love for him in every letter.
Similarassert, maintain, proclaim, declare, affirm
Note
7
verbtransitive
To call on someone or something as your witness to prove what you say.
Fiercely [they] opposed / My journey strange, with clamorous uproar / Protesting fate supreme.
1667, John Milton, Paradise LostHere, protesting means calling on fate as a witness to what they say.
Note
8
nouncountable
A note made by an official saying a bill has not been paid or accepted.
Like an official note that says "this bill was not paid."
The notary entered a protest after the company refused to pay.
Without a protest on file, the holder could not claim damages.
9
nouncountable
A written statement by a ship's captain about how the ship or its cargo was damaged.
Like an official report a captain writes to explain what went wrong at sea.
The captain filed a protest after the storm wrecked the cargo.
The protest explained how the ship struck the rocks.
Note
10
verbtransitive
To officially declare that a bill or note has not been paid or accepted.
Like getting an official to write down that a bill was never paid.
The bank asked the notary to protest the unpaid note.
They protested the bill when the buyer refused to pay.
Note

Less common meaning

11
verbobsoletetransitive
To make something known to the public.
Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of protest apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From Latin prōtestārī, made from prō plus testor, from testis meaning "witness." It reached English through Old French protester and Middle English protesten.