Meaning & use
objection
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Meanings
nouncountable
A reason you give for disagreeing with or opposing something.
Grammar: Often used with 'to' before the thing you oppose: an objection to the plan.
Patterns
- an objection to something
- raise an objection
- have no objection to something
She raised a strong objection to the new policy.
If you have any objections, please speak now.
His main objection was that the plan was too expensive.
nouncountablelegal
A formal statement in a court or meeting that you disagree with something said or proposed.
Grammar: Used especially in legal contexts; often shouted as 'Objection!'
Patterns
- raise an objection
- overrule an objection
- objection overruled/sustained
The lawyer stood up and said, 'Objection, Your Honor!'
The judge sustained the objection and the witness did not answer.
The committee noted his objection in the minutes.
noununcountable
A feeling of dislike or disapproval.
Grammar: Used in phrases like 'have no objection' or 'take objection to'.
Patterns
- take objection to something
- have no objection
I have no objection to your staying out late, as long as you tell me.
She took objection to his tone of voice.
Word forms
| plural | objections |
|---|
Common combinations
- raise an objection
- Several parents raised objections to the school's decision.
- have no objection
- I have no objection to working overtime.
- strong objection
- There was strong objection from local residents.
- objection to
- Her objection to the proposal was based on cost.
- overrule an objection
- The judge overruled the objection.
Synonyms and how they differ
- opposition
- Broader and often stronger; it can refer to organized resistance rather than a single stated disagreement.
- protest
- Suggests a public or energetic expression of disagreement, often in a group, while an objection can be a quiet formal statement.
- complaint
- Focuses on a feeling of dissatisfaction and often a request for action, not just a statement of disagreement.
Opposites
Word family
- object verb
- To say that you disagree with or oppose something.
- objector noun
- A person who objects, especially to something official.
- objectionable adjective
- Unpleasant or likely to cause disagreement.
Commonly confused: objection or objective?
objection vs objective
An 'objective' is a goal or aim, or it means not influenced by personal feelings. An 'objection' is a reason for disagreeing.
Practice
The lawyer's ______ to the question was overruled by the judge.
Choose one answer.
The sentence needs a noun meaning a formal disagreement, which is 'objection'. 'Objective' means a goal or aim; 'object' as a noun is a thing you can see or touch; 'objectively' is an adverb and cannot be the subject.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “objection”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.