pro·test
ˈprō-ˌtest 
1
: a solemn declaration of opinion and usually of dissent: such as
a
: a sworn declaration that payment of a note or bill has been refused and that all responsible signers or debtors are liable for resulting loss or damage
b
: a declaration made especially before or while paying that a tax is illegal and that payment is not voluntary
2
: the act of objecting or a gesture of disapproval
resigned in protest
especially
: a usually organized public demonstration of disapproval
3
: a complaint, objection, or display of unwillingness usually to an idea or a course of action
went under protest
4
: an objection made to an official or a governing body of a sport
protested; protesting; protests
1
: to make solemn declaration or affirmation of
protest my innocence
2
: to execute or have executed a formal protest against (something, such as a bill or note)
3
: to make a statement or gesture in objection to
protested the abuses of human rights
Examples of protest in a Sentence
Noun
He heard protests from the crowd.
She told him to go to bed despite his protests that he wasn't tired.
There were cries of protest when the verdict was announced.
The suspect surrendered his gun without protest.
She was so upset by their decision that she resigned in protest.
The students launched a protest against the tuition increase.
Verb
The victim's family protested at the judge's sentence.
There is no use protesting. I will not change my mind.
The coach protested the referee's call.
The decision was protested by dozens of people.
Students protested at the civil rights rally.
They were protesting against the death penalty.
Peace activists protested the war.
She protested that the law was unfair.
“But I'm innocent!” he protested.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2025
Trump has deployed the national guard to cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, Portland and Memphis to quell protests against stricter immigration enforcement.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
Philip Elliott, Time, 28 Oct. 2025
The two survivors, who Trump identifies as terrorists, were released to Colombia and Ecuador within hours, a move that prevents them from protesting their detention in court.
—Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for protest
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Following days of fierce opposition protests, 92-year-old Paul Biya won an extension to his 43-year presidency of Cameroon, while in Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara — who has been in power since 2010 — was elected for another five years.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2025
Trump has deployed the national guard to cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, Portland and Memphis to quell protests against stricter immigration enforcement.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
While 7 million people showed up for the No Kings protest earlier this month, Democrats still do not control any meaningful power in Washington; the Supreme Court, Congress, and the White House are all proven loyal to Trump’s whims.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 28 Oct. 2025
The two survivors, who Trump identifies as terrorists, were released to Colombia and Ecuador within hours, a move that prevents them from protesting their detention in court.
—Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for protest
Cite this Entry
“Protest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protest. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
protest
1 of 2 noun
pro·test
ˈprō-ˌtest
: a complaint, objection, or display of unwillingness or disapproval
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