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to protest

to protest

283 3.2
To show strong disagreement in public, often by joining a march or strike
  • verb
  • /ˈproʊtɛst/
translation icon : protestar
  • Demonstrations arose in many cities to protest the violence taking place in Beijing.
  • protest the government
  • protest government policies
  • protest against injustice

Wow, half the town was protesting that.

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Examples

  • Some students have been audacious enough to protest outside the walls by holding demonstrations.

    Academic text (1990)
  • People came out into the streets to protest and it felt different.

  • We need all of you to go and, and protest outside City Hall.

  • We will protest again to the German government.

  • There were groups that were founded to protest the war.

  • We must protest this whole affair.

  • I need to protest and speak to a congressperson.

  • Many young people, like myself, protested the war.

  • I'm out here protesting because I'm frightened about nuclear energy.

  • Thousands of citizens gathered to protest the new law that would restrict free speech.

Synonyms

to resist
vsto protest
311 2.2

Act against authority, rules or change

focuses on expressing disagreement, not always on active resistance
to demonstrate
vsto protest
74 3.2

Join a public protest to show strong opposition

also includes expressing disagreement without joining public events
to clamor
vsto protest
  • US
51 6.1

To shout loudly to demand something, often with other people

is the general act of expressing strong disagreement, not only loud group demands
to speak out against
vsto protest
44 4.1

Publicly say you are strongly against something or someone

is similar but also covers private formal objections
to protest against
vsto protest
40 3.6

To show in public that you strongly disagree with something

is the single word form rather than a phrase
to dissent
vsto protest
  • Formal
39 6.8

To disagree publicly with an official idea or decision

focuses on expressing disagreement rather than formal refusal
to make a stand
vsto protest
23 4.6

Publicly say you strongly agree or disagree with something

covers both firm positions and weaker public objections
to speak against
vsto protest
15 4.2

To say in public that you do not support something

is the wider concept including actions as well as words
to voice concern
vsto protest
  • Formal
7 3.9

Speak in public to say you are worried about something

is the stronger term that implies clear disapproval rather than mild worry
to make a stink
vsto protest
  • Informal
4 6.8

Complain loudly in public to get attention

is the neutral term for strong disagreement without informal tone
to raise a stink
vsto protest
2 7.4

To complain loudly and make people notice the problem

is the standard term for formal or public objection
to remonstrate
vsto protest
  • Formal
1 8.5

To speak strongly to show you disagree

is broader, covering public disagreement by words or actions
to fulminate
vsto protest
  • Formal
1 9.0

To speak or write very angrily against something to show strong criticism

is the neutral term for strong disagreement without tone emphasis
to picket outside
vsto protest
1 5.0

To stand or march outside a building to show you are against something

is broader, applying to words or different public actions
to voice a grievance
vsto protest
  • Formal
6.3

To express a complaint or concern, often publicly

is broader, covering informal and formal expressions of disagreement

Antonyms

1.6

To officially agree to something or think that it is good

793 1.0

To take something someone offers, for example a gift or invitation

Phrasal Verbs

To show in public that you strongly disagree with something

To show publicly that you are against unfair treatment, often by joining a public march or speaking out

Compounds

A public meeting where people gather to show support or opposition without violence

A public walk by many people to show they disagree and ask for change

A public gathering where people protest unfair treatment because of race

A sudden large number of people protesting at the same time

How Forceful

to riot
26 4.9
to protest
283 3.2
to object
349 5.1
to complain
1.0

Surface Forms

protest infinitive
protested past
protested past participle
protesting present participle
protests third person singular

Etymology

The word protest comes from Latin parts pro- 'forth' and testari 'to testify'. It originally meant 'to declare openly', so to protest is to speak out in public about strong disagreement.