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
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals presided over a remote hearing regarding California's challenge to President Donald Trump's federalization of the state's National Guard troops amid protests over immigration enforcement in the Los Angeles area. Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 17 June 2025 The protest, which drew a crowd of more than 150 people, was initially peaceful, Jabateh said. Ikram Mohamed, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025
Verb
Idaho veterans have also protested against Veterans Affairs cuts. Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 17 June 2025 The demonstrations, which coincided with Donald Trump’s birthday celebration, added another layer of irony as some within the Bitcoin community openly celebrate the very figure hundreds of thousands protested against. Becca Bratcher, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for protest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protest
Noun
  • In Los Angeles, Trump took the unusual step of nationalizing units of the California National Guard and also sent in U.S. Marines over the objections of Gavin Newsom, the state's Democratic governor.
    David Folkenflik, NPR, 16 June 2025
  • Protests erupted across the U.S., most notably in Los Angeles, where Trump federalized 4,000 National Guard members and sent in 700 Marines over the objections of state and local officials.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • But one of Holmgren’s first acts as a member of the Thunder, after a spectacular performance in his Summer League début, was to insist that a teammate join him for the postgame interview, which traditionally goes to the game’s key player.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 8 June 2025
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky insisted that Ukraine is doing everything possible to ensure the release of prisoners and the return of the soldiers’ bodies.
    Kosta Gak, CNN Money, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • When the justice objected, saying that the extradition had already been approved, Castro allegedly ordered him to reverse it.
    T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 12 June 2025
  • Environmentalists will object, but freedom is not always pollution-free.
    The Editors, National Review, 12 June 2025
Noun
  • The complaint argues that CAA’s trade secrets are essential to making the company — and the industry — run.
    Gene Maddaus, Variety, 10 June 2025
  • That’s the first time taxes have topped the list of complaints since December 2020.
    Brandon Kochkodin, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
Verb
  • By failing to meet and confer with the union over the impact of a return-to-office order on supervisors and managers in early March, Newsom violated state labor law, the union alleges.
    William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 8 June 2025
  • The passenger alleged that McRoy continued to take more marijuana dabs.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • Patterson complained about her in-laws behind their backs Erin and Simon Patterson got married in 2007 and, after splitting and reconciling multiple times over the years, separated permanently in 2015.
    Rachel Treisman, NPR, 7 June 2025
  • Occasionally, drivers call the CHP to complain — especially during rush hour.
    Tina Li, Sacbee.com, 7 June 2025
Noun
  • Residents aged 18 or older are permitted to own a firearm, with some exceptions allowing 16-year-olds to acquire guns for hunting purposes.
    Solcyré Burga, Time, 10 June 2025
  • There are exceptions, but there’s just no comparison.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
Verb
  • Snaking between trees or buildings may cause the drone to crash – the post cites examples where riders claim to have survived this way.
    David Hambling, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • Now that Trump has sidestepped Congress and claimed the right to impose tariffs at will, Woldenberg is taking on the White House directly.
    John Cassidy, New Yorker, 9 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Protest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protest. Accessed 23 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on protest

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