1
as in discord
a lack of agreement or harmony
considerable dissent within the party's rank and file
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dissidence
departure from a generally accepted theory, opinion, or practice
the church reacted to any form of dissent by promptly excommunicating its proponents
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to disagree
to have a different opinion
anyone who dissented was encouraged to speak out while they had the chance
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dissent
CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
The quiet ethic often called Minnesota Nice is outshining the intimidation meant to silence dissent.
—Valeng Cha, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026
Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch dissented.
—Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dissent
Noun
Guanipa's brother Tomás rejected the accusation and said that the arrest was meant to crack down on dissent.
—CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
The quiet ethic often called Minnesota Nice is outshining the intimidation meant to silence dissent.
—Valeng Cha, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
Two officials dissented from Wednesday’s decision, with Governors Stephen Miran and Christopher Waller preferring another quarter-point reduction.
—Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026
Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch dissented.
—Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dissent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dissent
Noun
-
Celebrate with an activity that allows for big release of energies, something athletic or competitive; a sedentary pleasure could lead to discord.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The drafts mention marital discord between Gates and his then-wife Melinda.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The dissidence of Minneapolis reminds me of the Argentinian mothers who found themselves in an impossible situation during the military junta of the late 1970s.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
30 Jan. 2026
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And dissidence and utopianism, new ways of life, other—othered—ethnicities, and hybrid identities were universally amenable.—
Diedrich Diederichsen,
Artforum,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
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There was a time when politicians would have contentious debate & disagree on issues, vote the best interests of their constituents, and afterwards share in a beverage or two.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
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Some environmental scientists disagree, telling ABC News that the rescission is concerning and could have major implications for health.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The executive order announced by Mayor Brandon Johnson last Saturday has resulted in ongoing strife between the mayor and the county’s top prosecutor, who would be responsible for bringing any charges against immigration agents whose conduct in the Chicago area has drawn scrutiny and condemnation.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
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The road to equality for all Americans hasn't come without sacrifice, bloodshed and strife.—
Elisha Brown,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Any challenge to gun rights was immediate heresy, disqualifying in any measure.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
26 Jan. 2026
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When something is so embedded in our routines, even a small shift can feel like heresy.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
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There are more overtly sexy moments in Fennell’s movie — the physical intimacy is ratcheted up significantly from the book — but this scene underlines the Brontë’s themes of desire and repression — and the friction between them — that imprinted on the filmmaker as a teen.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
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Ice surfaces develop a thin, mobile surface layer, sometimes called a quasi-liquid or premelted layer, that reduces friction and enables sliding.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Similarly, the emphasis on independence and nonconformity reflects what psychologists call autonomy orientation.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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The gender nonconformity of the protagonists—all thinly disguised versions of Lee—is often obvious but never explicitly mentioned.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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No artist, agent or employee should ever be expected to defend or overlook actions that conflict so deeply with our own moral values.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
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Warren saw that the conflict in the region between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Kosovo Liberation Army left local children with little to do.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dissent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dissent. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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