PROTEST

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does protest mean? 

• PROTEST (noun)
  The noun PROTEST has 3 senses:

1. a formal and solemn declaration of objection

2. the act of protesting; a public (often organized) manifestation of dissent

3. the act of making a strong public expression of disagreement and disapproval

  Familiarity information: PROTEST used as a noun is uncommon.

• PROTEST (verb)
  The verb PROTEST has 3 senses:

1. utter words of protest

2. express opposition through action or words

3. affirm or avow formally or solemnly

  Familiarity information: PROTEST used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PROTEST (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A formal and solemn declaration of objection

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

protest; protestation

Context example:

the many protestations did not stay the execution

Hypernyms ("protest" is a kind of...):

objection (the speech act of objecting)

Derivation:

protest (utter words of protest)

protest (affirm or avow formally or solemnly)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The act of protesting; a public (often organized) manifestation of dissent

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

dissent; objection; protest

Hypernyms ("protest" is a kind of...):

resistance (group action in opposition to those in power)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "protest"):

boycott (a group's refusal to have commercial dealings with some organization in protest against its policies)

direct action (a protest action by labor or minority groups to obtain their demands)

demonstration; manifestation (a public display of group feelings (usually of a political nature))

walkout (the act of walking out (of a meeting or organization) as a sign of protest)

Derivation:

protest (express opposition through action or words)

Sense 3

Meaning:

The act of making a strong public expression of disagreement and disapproval

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Context example:

a shower of protest was heard from the rear of the hall

Hypernyms ("protest" is a kind of...):

objection (the speech act of objecting)

Derivation:

protest (utter words of protest)

• PROTEST (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they protest ... he / she / it protests
Past simple: protested   
Past participle: protested   
-ing form: protesting   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Utter words of protest

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "protest" is one way to...):

complain; kick; kvetch; plain; quetch; sound off (express complaints, discontent, displeasure, or unhappiness)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "protest"):

declaim; inveigh (speak against in an impassioned manner)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE

Derivation:

protest (a formal and solemn declaration of objection)

protest (the act of making a strong public expression of disagreement and disapproval)

protestant (protesting)

protestation (a strong declaration of protest)

protester (someone who participates in a public display of group feeling)

protester (a person who dissents from some established policy)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Express opposition through action or words

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Synonyms:

dissent; protest; resist

Context example:

dissent to the laws of the country

Hypernyms (to "protest" is one way to...):

contradict; controvert; oppose (be resistant to)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "protest"):

strike; walk out (stop work in order to press demands)

demonstrate; march (march in protest; take part in a demonstration)

arise; rebel; rise; rise up (take part in a rebellion; renounce a former allegiance)

rebel; renegade (break with established customs)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP

Derivation:

protest (the act of protesting; a public (often organized) manifestation of dissent)

protestant (protesting)

protester (someone who participates in a public display of group feeling)

protester (a person who dissents from some established policy)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Affirm or avow formally or solemnly

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Context example:

The suspect protested his innocence

Hypernyms (to "protest" is one way to...):

affirm; assert; aver; avow; swan; swear; verify (to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE

Derivation:

protest; protestation (a formal and solemn declaration of objection)

 Context examples 

"It must be," she silenced his protest.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

“But, Humphrey—” she began to protest in a queer, husky voice.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

"I'm not sorry," protested Jo, with a choke.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Mrs Musgrove protests solemnly that she knew nothing of the matter.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

Fanny protested her ignorance as steadily as her embarrassment allowed.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

And, as I ever wish to be believed, I solemnly protest that no syllable of such a nature ever passed between us.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

There were hisses from the crowd and cries of protest, but that was all.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

She seemed, even in her sleep, to be a little impatient at finding the door shut, and went back to bed under a sort of protest.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

“You must stand off from him,” Matthewson protested.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

It was in vain for Annie to protest that she was weary of such things.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)