Dissenting

/dɪˈsɛntɪŋ/

adjectivemediumCommonGeneral

Definitions

2 meanings
1

Holding or expressing opinions at variance with those previously, commonly, or officially held.

/dɪˈsɛntɪŋ/

adjectiveneutralmedium
General

Expressing a different opinion

The dissenting members of the committee argued against the proposed legislation.

💡 Simply: Imagine a group of friends agreeing on a movie, but one friend thinks it's terrible! That friend is dissenting – they have a different opinion than everyone else.

👶 For kids: Saying you don't agree with something.

More Examples

2

The article highlighted the dissenting views on climate change among scientists.

3

Several dissenting opinions were filed after the Supreme Court's ruling.

How It's Used

Legal

"The dissenting judge wrote a passionate argument explaining his disagreement with the court's decision."

Political

"Dissenting voices were often suppressed during the authoritarian regime."

2

To differ in opinion; to disagree; to refuse to conform.

/dɪˈsɛntɪŋ/

verb (present participle)neutralmedium
General

Disagreeing or objecting to something

The student was dissenting from the teacher's viewpoint on the matter.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're at a meeting where everyone's nodding, but you think something is a bad idea. Dissenting means you're speaking up and saying you don't agree!

👶 For kids: Saying you don't like or don't agree with something.

More Examples

2

She felt compelled to continue dissenting with their decision.

3

Many protesters were dissenting against the construction of the new factory.

How It's Used

Political

"Citizens were dissenting against the government's new tax policies."

Social

"They were dissenting from the traditional views on marriage."

Tip:Think of it as actively disagreeing.

Idioms & expressions

dissent from

To express disagreement with.

"The senator publicly dissented from the President's plan."

From Latin *dissentire* ('to disagree'), from *dis-* ('apart') + *sentire* ('to feel, think'). The word developed in the 16th century, initially referring to disagreement in religious matters, later extending to general disagreement.

Historically, the term often referred to religious nonconformity (e.g., Protestant dissenters from the Church of England).

Memory tip

Think of 'sent' as feeling. Dissenting means feeling differently.

dissentinggdesenting

Usage

30%Spoken
70%Written