WordGarden.ioprotest
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /prətˈɛst/
US
- /ˈproʊˌtɛst/
Meanings
Noun
an organized public expression of opposition to a policy, action, or condition
a statement or act expressing strong opposition or disapproval
Verb
to publicly oppose something by demonstrating or taking collective action
to express strong opposition, disapproval, or complaint
Beyond the definition
To protest means to show or say clearly that you disagree with something, especially when you think it is unfair, wrong, or harmful. Often, this happens in public through marches, signs, speeches, or other actions meant to get attention. People may protest political decisions, social problems, school rules, or damage to the environment. The word can also be used for a more formal objection, such as protesting a decision or an accusation. In everyday English, though, it is most often used for public action or strong public statements.
The word "protest" is about showing disagreement in a clear and open way. It is more than quietly not liking something. It means taking some kind of action or making a strong statement to show that you believe something is wrong and should change. Very often, the word is connected with public life, politics, and social issues, because people protest when they want others to notice a problem and respond to it.
A protest can take many forms. It might be a large public event with people marching in the street, holding signs, and chanting. It could also be a smaller action, such as a sit-in, a boycott, a petition, or a public speech. In some cases, one person protests by speaking out at a meeting, writing a letter, or refusing to accept a decision in silence. The idea is the same: someone is openly showing opposition.
The word works in several common ways. You can protest against something, such as injustice or a new law. You can protest a decision, meaning you object to it directly. You can also talk about a protest as the event itself: a protest in a city square, a student protest, or a peaceful protest outside a building. The people involved are called protesters.
There is also a more formal meaning. Someone can protest an accusation, a result, or even their innocence, meaning they strongly object or insist that something is not true or not acceptable. Still, in modern everyday English, the word most often brings to mind public action by people who want to be heard. When a group gathers to show anger, concern, or refusal in a visible way, that is a protest.
Examples
- 1
Public demonstration
Thousands of people joined a protest in the capital on Saturday.
- 2
Labor action
Bus drivers staged a one-day protest over low pay.
- Patternstage a protest
organize and carry out a protest
- 3
Local opposition
Local residents protested against plans to close the library.
- Patternprotest against + plan/decision
publicly say you oppose it
- 4
Showing disagreement
She walked out of the meeting in protest.
- Phrasein protest
to show disagreement or anger
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Strong statement
Several parents protested that the new rule was unfair.
- Patternprotest that ...
say strongly that something is true
- 6
Spoken objection
"I never agreed to that," he protested.
- 7
Claiming innocence
The actor continued to protest his innocence after the interview.
- Patternprotest your innocence
strongly say you did nothing wrong
- 8
Reluctant agreement
He signed the paper under protest.
- Phraseunder protest
while clearly showing you disagree
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- public protest
- peaceful protest
- protest against
- in protest
Word family
Explore
- civil disobedience
- activism
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- protestnounverb
Forms
- protestspluralnounverb
- protesting-ing formverbnoun
- protestedpast tenseverbnoun