dissent

[dih-sent]

verb (used without object)

1. to differ in sentiment or opinion, especially from the majority; withhold assent; disagree (often followed byfrom ).

   Two of the justices dissented from the majority decision.

2. to disagree with the methods, goals, etc., of a political party or government; take an opposing view.

3. to disagree with or reject the doctrines or authority of an established church.

noun

1. difference of sentiment or opinion.

   Synonyms: opposition, dissatisfaction, disagreement

2. dissenting opinion.

3. disagreement with the philosophy, methods, goals, etc., of a political party or government.

   Synonyms: opposition, dissatisfaction, disagreement

4. separation from an established church, especially the Church of England; nonconformity.

dissent

/ dɪˈsɛnt /

verb

1. to have a disagreement or withhold assent

2. Christianity to refuse to conform to the doctrines, beliefs, or practices of an established church, and to adhere to a different system of beliefs and practices

noun

1. a difference of opinion

2. Christianity separation from an established church; Nonconformism

3. the voicing of a minority opinion in announcing the decision on a case at law; dissenting judgment

Other Word Forms

• dissenter noun
• dissenting adjective
• dissentingly adverb
• nondissenting adjective
• undissenting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dissent¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English dissenten, from Middle French dissentir, from Latin dissentīre, from dis- dis- ¹ + sentīre “to feel”

Word History and Origins

Origin of dissent¹

C16: from Latin dissentīre to disagree, from _dis- ¹ + sentīre to perceive, feel

Synonym Study

Dissent, dissidence mean disagreement with the majority opinion. Dissent may express either withholding of agreement or open disagreement. Dissidence, formerly much the same as dissent, has come to suggest not only strong dissatisfaction but a determined opposition.

Example Sentences

Former UK deputy prime minister Sir Nick Clegg has accused right-wing US politicians, including JD Vance, of "rank hypocrisy" for attacking UK speech laws while silencing dissent at home.

From BBC

However, the concessions to the protesters may not quell the widespread dissent.

From BBC

He and his lackeys want a country without dissent.

From Salon

Authoritarians love the death penalty, and have long used it to repress not crime, but dissent.

From Los Angeles Times

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee and allied pro-Israel PACs reward loyalty with torrents of campaign cash and punish dissent with lavishly funded primary challenges.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• discord 
• dissension 
• disunity 
• objection 
• opposition 
• protest 
• resistance 
• schism 
• strife 

When To Use

What's the difference between dissent and descent?

Dissent can be a noun meaning disagreement, as in I voiced my dissent, or a verb meaning to disagree, as in The judge is expected to dissent. Descent is a noun that means the act of moving downward (descending), a downward movement, or downward movement in general.The two words are pronounced exactly the same.Perhaps the best way to remember the difference between the two is to think about what related words mean and how they’re spelled. Words related to dissent involve agreement or disagreement and end with -sent, including assent and consent.Words related to descent involve movement and are spelled with sc, including descend, ascent, ascension, and transcend.Here’s an example of dissent and descent used correctly in a sentence.Example: There was dissent among the climbers about whether they should attempt the descent during the storm.