Dissent
/dɪˈsent/
Definitions
2 meaningsA disagreement with or opposition to an opinion, belief, or policy.
/dɪˈsent/
Disagreement or opposition to a prevailing idea or opinion.
The company faced internal dissent over the new policy.
💡 Simply: Imagine everyone wants pizza, but you want tacos! Dissent is when you disagree with what everyone else thinks or wants.
👶 For kids: When you think something different than other people.
More Examples
Public dissent against the government's actions grew louder.
Despite the pressure, he voiced his dissent.
How It's Used
"There was significant dissent within the party regarding the proposed tax cuts."
"The Supreme Court justice filed a dissenting opinion, disagreeing with the majority ruling."
To differ in opinion or feeling; to disagree.
/dɪˈsent/
To hold or express opinions that are at variance with those previously, commonly, or officially expressed.
Several members of the committee dissented from the proposal.
💡 Simply: If everyone says 'yes' to a movie, and you say 'no,' you're dissenting!
👶 For kids: To say you don't agree.
More Examples
She publicly dissented from her boss's decisions.
The judge dissented in the final ruling of the case.
How It's Used
"He dissented from the popular opinion on the issue."
"Many religious leaders dissented from the king's decisions."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
a voice of dissent
Someone or something that expresses disagreement or opposition.
"She became a voice of dissent against the government's policies."
dissent from the bench
A formal expression of disagreement by a judge with the decision of the majority of the court.
"Justice Ginsburg was known for her strong dissents from the bench."
From Latin *dissentire* meaning 'to disagree', from *dis-* (apart) + *sentire* (to feel, think).
Used since the 16th century, primarily in legal, political, and religious contexts to describe disagreement.
Memory tip
Think of 'dis-' (apart) and 'sent' (feeling or opinion). Dissent is having a feeling that's apart from the main group's feeling.
Word Origin
"to disagree"