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dissent

dissent

68 6.6
A public or formal statement that shows disagreement with an idea
  • noun
  • /dɪˈsɛnt/
  • Formal
: disenso
  • The regime crushes all dissent.
  • suppress dissent
  • right to dissent
  • political dissent

In our nation when we equate dissent with disloyalty.

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Examples

  • The story of intellectual dissent in the People's Republic has been much the same.

    Academic text (1990)
  • But there is growing dissent in the ranks.

  • And he got it so that there was basically no dissent in Russian media.

  • Words of dissent did make it through, but not from within their country.

    GQ
  • We need dissent, but we need a creative dissent.

  • His art has shown how a state without dissent is the greatest threat of all.

    Blog text (5)
  • Never has this dissent been as emotional, as intense, as is the dissent against the war in Vietnam.

  • The Mall is the greatest civic stage in this country for dissent, and it's synonymous with free speech.

  • There will be a very strong tendency to suppress dissent and to create conformity with the majority views.

  • The committee listened to arguments but ultimately faced dissent regarding the proposed changes.

Synonyms

protest
vsdissent
664 2.5

A public gathering of people who show strong disagreement, like a march

is any expression of opposition, not only public demonstrations
opposition
vsdissent
320 3.4

The act of resisting an idea, plan, or change

focuses on the act of expressing resistance rather than the state
objection
vsdissent
318 3.6

A statement showing disagreement or disapproval

is the general act of opposing, not just expressing disapproval
disagreement
vsdissent
231 1.6

A situation when people do not have the same opinion

is an active expression of opposition rather than mere differing views
outcry
vsdissent
51 4.6

A strong public protest showing anger or disapproval

is any act of disagreeing, not necessarily loud or public
disapproval
vsdissent
45 3.0

A feeling that shows you do not agree with someone or what they do

is an action of expressing opposition, not merely a personal feeling
difference of opinion
vsdissent
  • Specialized
37 3.5

A situation where two or more people disagree about something important

is an act of opposing or publicly expressing disagreement rather than mild difference
pushback
vsdissent
31 5.9

A negative reaction from people to a plan or change

is a single act of disagreeing, not limited to group responses
protestation
vsdissent
  • Formal
10 7.4

A strong statement that shows you disagree or say something is not true

is broader opposition not confined to formal declarations
dissidence
vsdissent
1 8.2

A disagreement with a government or its rules

is broader, covering any public or private act of disagreeing
remonstrance
vsdissent
  • Formal
1 9.8

A formal spoken or written complaint showing strong disagreement

is the general act of opposing rather than a formal statement
contestation
vsdissent
  • Formal
1 8.4

A strong disagreement about something important

is simple opposition, not always a heated or formal dispute
remonstration
vsdissent
  • Formal
1 9.5

A strong, formal protest that shows serious disagreement

is general opposition, not limited to forceful formal appeals
expostulation
vsdissent
  • Formal
1 9.9

A firm protest that explains why a decision or action is wrong

is more general opposition and not always reasoned or personal

Antonyms

214 1.0

A situation in which people have the same opinion or give their approval

How Strong

rebellion
43 4.2
opposition
320 3.4
dissent
  • Formal
68 6.6
disagreement
231 1.6
difference of opinion
  • Specialized
37 3.5

Surface Forms

dissent singular
dissents plural

Etymology

Dissent comes from the Latin parts dis- 'not' and sentire 'to feel', so it literally means 'not feeling the same'. Think of it as the opposite of consent ('agreeing together'), which helps explain why dissent means a clear disagreement or opposition.