Meaning & use
dissents
Last updated
Expresses a different opinion from the majority, especially formally, as in a legal or political ruling.
See it in a sentence
Justice Kagan dissents from the majority opinion in the ruling.
He rarely dissents openly, preferring to voice concerns in private.
A note on using this word
In law, a judge who dissents writes a formal dissenting opinion explaining why they disagree with the majority ruling.
Words with a similar meaning
disagreesobjects
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
agreesconcurs
Another way to use it
2. noun
Formal statements of disagreement with a majority decision, especially in a court ruling.
The justice's dissents were often cited by later courts that overturned the original ruling.
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