protest 1 of 2

protest

2 of 2

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
Pro-Palestinian activists started to show up at BLM protests, suggesting a new fusion of interests. Alexander Nazaryan, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025 The detentions come amid legal fights over the Trump administration’s arrests and deportations of other foreigners with valid visas and green card holders, including a Palestinian activist who helped organize campus protests of the war in Gaza. Julie Watson, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
Consider its actions against students protesting Israel’s war in Gaza. Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2025 Multiple people have offered to buy a Tesla vehicle as others have protested the electric vehicle company due to Elon Musk’s work with the Trump administration. Asher Notheis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 23 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for protest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protest
Noun
  • Schumer has received backlash since helping to avert a government shutdown by aiding the Republicans in passing their stopgap spending plan over the objection of the majority of his fellow Democratic Senators and House Democrats.
    Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Home demolished During winter break at the University of Idaho, a demolition began of the home where the murders took place, over the objections of some of the victims' family members.
    Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Why does the club insist on rebuilding via purchasing players as opposed to harnessing the talents of academy players instead?
    Sam Lee, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The Dutchman was constantly shoehorned into an attacking midfield role that doesn’t bring out his best characteristics, yet Motta insisted on deploying him there.
    Emmet Gates, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Regardless of which half of the couple objected to the other first, Henry and Anne’s wedding moved forward on January 6, 1540.
    Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Among the things Curran objected to was Kempinksi’s failure to fill four principal investigator positions subsidized by a $10 million endowment.
    Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Additionally, Daughtry drew scrutiny after his elevation to become deputy commissioner, a civilian position, resulted in the Civilian Complaint Review Board dropping three complaints of misconduct against him last year on the basis that the panel only has oversight of uniformed officers.
    Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 19 Mar. 2025
  • At the request of residents, ombudsmen work with residents, family members, administrators and other to resolve complaints of residents.
    Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Osasuna have filed an appeal to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) alleging Inigo Martinez was ineligible to play in their 3-0 defeat against Barcelona on Thursday.
    Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The 38-year-old took to Instagram to hit back at a comment about his father following Variety's report alleging that Marc Platt flew to New York to speak with Zegler over her politics.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Nobody is complaining about the bang for the buck regarding Betts or the Dodgers.
    Terence Moore, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • The executive order against Jenner & Block complains that the firm re-hired a lawyer, Andrew Weissmann, who was part of Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference to benefit Trump in the 2016 presidential election.
    Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Today, economic uncertainty is a constant, not an exception.
    Scott Hutcheson, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The California Department of Human Resources recently released statewide guidance on exceptions to the return-to-work order.
    William Melhado, Sacramento Bee, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Prosecutors claimed Ortiz initially planned to stop playing shows for Pérez but was persuaded by Del Villar to keep appearing.
    Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2025
  • The rights organization claimed the law cannot be used against nationals of Venezuela because the United States is not at war with Venezuela nor has Venezuela launched a predatory incursion into the United States.
    Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Protest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protest. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

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