dissent
dissent Lexical Profile
dissent Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The holding or expression of opinions at variance with those commonly or officially held.
"The administration sought to encourage open dialogue rather than suppress political dissent."
A formal statement by an appellate judge or justice expressing disagreement with the majority decision of a court.
"The senior justice authored a sharp dissent arguing that the ruling misinterpreted the statute."
• verb
To hold or express opinions that are at variance with those previously, commonly, or officially held.
"Two members of the committee chose to dissent from the final recommendation."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'dissent' (a disagreement or to disagree) with its homophone 'descent' (a downward movement or ancestry). As a verb, 'dissent' is almost always followed by the preposition 'from'.
• Rhymes for dissent
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 15th century from Latin 'dissentire' ('to differ in sentiment or opinion'), formed from 'dis-' ('apart, differently') and 'sentire' ('to feel, think').