Meaning & use
dissent
Last updated
Meanings
noununcountable
The act of disagreeing with an official or widely accepted opinion, especially when expressed openly.
Grammar: Used without 'a' or a plural: 'There was dissent among the members.'
Patterns
- dissent from something
- dissent among someone
- express dissent
The new policy was met with widespread dissent from employees.
There was growing dissent among the students about the strict rules.
She voiced her dissent during the meeting.
nouncountablelegal
A formal statement or opinion that disagrees with a majority decision, especially in a court of law.
Grammar: Can be used with 'a' or in the plural: 'a dissent', 'several dissents'.
Patterns
- a dissenting opinion
- file a dissent
- a dissent from the majority
The judge wrote a strong dissent against the court's ruling.
Her dissent was noted in the official record.
The decision was met with two dissents from the panel.
verbintransitive
To hold or express an opinion that differs from what is officially or generally accepted.
Grammar: No object; often followed by 'from': 'dissent from the official view'.
Patterns
- dissent from something
- dissent on something
- dissent in a ruling
Several senators dissented from the party's position.
She dissented on the issue of tax reform.
The judge dissented in a written opinion.
Word forms
| third person singular | dissents |
|---|---|
| past tense | dissented |
| past participle | dissented |
| -ing form | dissenting |
| plural | dissents |
Common combinations
- political dissent
- The government tried to silence political dissent.
- voice dissent
- Many citizens voiced dissent against the new law.
- dissent from the majority
- His dissent from the majority was clear in the report.
- a dissenting opinion
- The Supreme Court justice wrote a dissenting opinion.
- widespread dissent
- There was widespread dissent over the proposed changes.
Synonyms and how they differ
- disagreement
- A general word for any difference of opinion, not necessarily formal or public.
- opposition
- Stronger and often implies active resistance rather than just a differing view.
- objection
- A specific reason for disagreeing, often stated in a formal setting.
Opposites
Word family
- dissenter noun
- A person who disagrees with an official or widely held opinion.
- dissenting adjective
- Describing someone or something that disagrees, as in 'a dissenting voice'.
Commonly confused: dissent or dissent?
dissent vs dissent
Not to be confused with 'descent' (going down) or 'decent' (acceptable).
Practice
The judge wrote a strong ________ against the court's decision.
Choose one answer.
'Dissent' means a formal disagreement, which fits the context of a judge's written objection. 'Descent' means a downward movement, 'decent' means acceptable, and 'disease' is an illness—none fit here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “dissent”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.