protest 1 of 2

noun

ˈprō-ˌtest How to pronounce protest (audio)
Definition of protestnext
as in objection
a feeling or declaration of disapproval or dissent submitted an official protest about her treatment

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

protest

2 of 2

verb

prə-ˈtest How to pronounce protest (audio)
1
as in to insist
to state as a fact usually forcefully he protested that he usually was very good at baseball, and all the strikeouts were just bad luck

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to object
to present an opposing opinion or argument plans to protest against the judge's ruling regarding admissible evidence

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word protest distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of protest are affirm, assert, avow, and declare. While all these words mean "to state positively usually in anticipation of denial or objection," protest emphasizes affirming in the face of denial or doubt.

protested that he really had been misquoted

When can affirm be used instead of protest?

The synonyms affirm and protest are sometimes interchangeable, but affirm implies conviction based on evidence, experience, or faith.

affirmed the existence of an afterlife

When would assert be a good substitute for protest?

While in some cases nearly identical to protest, assert implies stating confidently without need for proof or regard for evidence.

asserted that modern music is just noise

When is avow a more appropriate choice than protest?

The words avow and protest can be used in similar contexts, but avow stresses frank declaration and acknowledgment of personal responsibility for what is declared.

avowed that all investors would be repaid in full

When is it sensible to use declare instead of protest?

Although the words declare and protest have much in common, declare stresses open or public statement.

declared her support for the candidate

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of protest
Noun
Young gave to his eco-protest sci-fi anthem 55 years ago. —Chris Willman, Variety, 5 Feb. 2026 Peaceful protests are a warning of what happens when the federal government ignores its constitutional obligations and treats human lives as collateral damage. —The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
In an exchange with Jordan, Bondi agreed that while the Constitution confers a right to protest, protesters do not have the right to disrupt religious services. —Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 11 Feb. 2026 Elkassis was one of about a dozen people who gathered Tuesday in Civic Center Plaza to protest the city’s decision to resume ticketing people living out of their vehicles. —Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for protest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protest
  1. objection
  2. insist
  3. object
  4. complaint
  5. allege
  6. complain
  7. exception
  8. claim
Noun
  • He's gotten his legislative agenda through the House and the Senate without any objection of any meaningful sort.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Praise for the post being removed More Republicans lodged their objections to the post after the video was taken down.
    — Matt Brown, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of objection
Verb
  • Also, the People of our Country are insisting on Citizenship, and No Mail-In Ballots, with exceptions for Military, Disability, Illness, or Travel.
    — Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Iran has insisted its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of insist
Verb
  • These objects’ whole shtick, after all, is gobbling up stuff, so two of them trying to eat each other feels inevitable.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2026
  • To review or object to instances where our partners assert a legitimate interest in utilizing your data, please visit our vendors page.
    — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of object
Noun
  • That was despite Kaley’s mother’s attempts to use third-party software to block access to the platforms, according to her complaint.
    — CNN.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
  • In 2021, the phone call from Rhoades at the insurance department described 50-plus complaints.
    — J.C. Hallman, Oklahoman, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of complaint
Verb
  • Long before news broke of lawsuits alleging a widespread State Farm bad faith scheme to wrongly deny Oklahoma hail claims, Coppermark’s petition accused insurance companies and the insurance department of working in cahoots.
    — J.C. Hallman, Oklahoman, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Rx Kids has garnered bipartisan support though House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, has alleged the program gives cash payments to non-citizens to have children.
    — Nushrat Rahman, Freep.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of allege
Verb
  • The building was in the neighborhood of Bab Tabbaneh, one of the poorest areas in Lebanon’s second-largest city, where residents have long complained of government neglect and shoddy infrastructure.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Other conservatives have also complained about Bad Bunny performing in Spanish.
    — Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of complain
Noun
  • The courts have granted exceptions to a seizure without a search warrant and each specific incident should be reviewed based on its facts.
    — Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Feb. 2026
  • The previous system was basically a modified sudden death system that gave each team at least one chance to score — with one big exception.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of exception
Verb
  • Aljorna, the affidavit claimed, hit a light pole before fleeing from the car, with an ICE agent chasing him on foot toward the home.
    — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Call 1-800-955-6886 to schedule an appointment to claim your prize.
    — Chris Sims, IndyStar, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of claim

Browse Nearby Words

protégés
protest
protestation
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Protest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protest. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on protest

Nglish: Translation of protest for Spanish Speakers

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