protest 1 of 2

protest

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verb

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
The author appears to lament the inaction of the U.S. government and accuses it of criminalizing protest. Helena Skinner, ABC News, 23 May 2025 Rather, Lapid encourages all on his side to be at least as loud and strident in protest, to have any chance of being heard over the ongoing din of war. Guy Lodge, Variety, 23 May 2025
Verb
Immigration advocates gathered outside the courtroom to protest against President Donald Trump's hard-line immigration policies. Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 May 2025 But Republicans used a procedural tactic to require only 51 votes to make the change, a strategy bitterly protested by opponents. David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for protest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protest
Noun
  • And an attorney representing local developers cited the law in objection to the county’s move to prevent thousands of new homes from being built beyond the county’s development boundary.
    Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025
  • The defense objected to the response, and the judge sustained the objection, meaning the jury cannot consider his response as evidence.
    Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • Texas Central insists it was not reliant on the funding and is continuing with its plans.
    James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 2025
  • The administration can also insist that other countries pay prices commensurate with the value of new medicines as a condition of striking trade agreements with the United States.
    Sally Pipes, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Verb
  • During Thursday’s debate, Lopes also objected to the characterization of the bill made by some of the supporters of stricter regulations.
    John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2025
  • One text message from Ventura the defense presented was so graphic that federal prosecutors objected and Judge Arun Subramanian sustained and called for a recess.
    Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • The complaint alleged the men locked O.C.G. in a room for several days and released him only after his sister paid a ransom.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 May 2025
  • In 2023, 20 students suffered from the rare condition when they were made to do over 400 push-ups as punishment, according to the complaint.
    Kate Linderman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • The girl’s family alleged the incident was a hate crime.
    Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 27 May 2025
  • The gun malfunctioned when Huff pulled the trigger, Assistant District Attorney Rob Moran alleged in court on Tuesday, ultimately saving O'Donnell's life.
    Chris Spargo, People.com, 27 May 2025
Verb
  • The firing after a nearly 30-year run appeared to surprise Starkey, after reports that Daltrey was not happy with the drummer’s performance at a March Royal Albert Hall gig, complaining from stage that Starkey’s loud playing was throwing him off.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 27 May 2025
  • Many complain about a lack of tort reform, unrestricted attorney advertising or litigation funding, all of which contribute significantly to the scam.
    Robert Tyson, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
Noun
  • All but one have flown atop Falcon 9s; the lone exception was GPS III SV-02, which rode a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV rocket to space in August 2019.
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 30 May 2025
  • This requirement effectively limits poll worker eligibility to U.S. citizens and excludes most noncitizens, with a few exceptions, such as high school students serving as student poll workers under supervision.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • Andrew is also facing a separate civil suit by four British women, who accused him of rape and physical abuse and claimed police and prosecutors failed them by not pursuing criminal charges years ago.
    Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 29 May 2025
  • Trump has also attacked several elite universities — particularly Columbia and Harvard — promising to cut funding by claiming the schools aren’t doing enough to fight antisemitism on campus.
    Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 29 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Protest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protest. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on protest

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