verb

dissent

/dɪˈsɛnt/ · say it: dih·SENT

strong disagreement with a view

In Debate & Persuasion

a judge's formal disagreement with the majority ruling

In Law & Justice

In more detail

1. (verb) to disagree with an opinion or decision

2. (noun) disagreement or the expression of disagreement with an opinion or decision

Examples

1. Several members of the committee dissented from the proposal.
2. The government tried to silence dissent among the population.

How to use dissent

Dissent is used in formal or serious contexts to describe principled disagreement, often on matters of importance such as politics, law, or ethics. It emphasizes the act of voicing disagreement explicitly rather than merely disagreeing quietly. Unlike simple disagreement, dissent carries connotations of standing against a prevailing view or authority.

Common phrases

express dissent
voice dissent
political dissent
dissent from
register dissent
bitter dissent

Synonyms

disagree · object · protest · take issue · withhold approval

Opposites

agree · consent · assent

Word family

dissenter (noun) · dissentient (adjective/noun) · dissenting (adjective)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use dissent intransitively when a prepositional phrase is needed; the correct form is 'dissent from' (not 'dissent about' or simply 'dissent the decision').

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