26984 words

protest

12 definitions • 28 examples
1

Examples:

Protests have been made/registered by many people who would be affected by the proposed changes.
A formal protest was made by the German team about their disqualification from the relay final.
Conservation groups have united in protest against the planned new road.
2
an occasion when people show that they disagree with something by standing somewhere, shouting, carrying signs, etc.:

Examples:

a public protest against the war
a peaceful/violent protest
3
If something is done under protest, it is done unwillingly:

Examples:

I only went to the meeting under protest.
4
to show that you disagree with something by standing somewhere, shouting, carrying signs, etc.:

Examples:

A big crowd of demonstrators were protesting against cuts in health spending.
especially US Outside, a group of students were protesting research cuts.
5
to say something forcefully or complain about something:

Examples:

Lots of people protested about the new working hours.
They protested bitterly to their employers, but to no avail.
[ + that ] A young girl was crying, protesting that she didn't want to leave her mother.
All through the trial he protested his innocence (= strongly said he was not guilty).
6

Examples:

[ U ] Three board members walked out of the meeting in protest.
[ C ] A protest against capital punishment was held outside the courthouse.
[ U ] He paid the tax under protest to avoid a penalty.
7
to express disagreement with, disapproval of, or opposition to something by complaining strongly about it:

Examples:

[ I/T ] Groups of students have been protesting (against) the tuition increase.
8
a strong complaint against something, or the act of complaining strongly about it:

Examples:

an angry/big/formal protest The chief executive of the troubled company gave up a £2.8m bonus package after big protests.
in protest against/at sth He resigned in protest at the refusal to privatise the airline.
The length of directors' contracts attracted a storm of protest from small shareholders at last year's annual meeting.
9
an occasion when people show that they disagree strongly with something by standing together and shouting and carrying signs, especially on the streets:

Examples:

hold/organize/stage a protest Shareholders held protests against the takeover bid outside the Stock Exchange.
spark/trigger a protest The plan sparked days of street protests.
a large/mass/peaceful protest
a protest demonstration/march
10
if something is done under protest, it is done unwillingly:

Examples:

In the cruise-ship industry, some companies are paying sales tax under protest, and some aren't paying at all.
11
to say or do something to show that you are against something:

Examples:

protest about/at sth Shareholders of the telecoms company are being urged to protest about a £10million bonus given to the chief executive.
protest against sth Local entrepreneurs banded together and called a strike to protest against an increase in local taxes.
US protest a proposal/decision
12
to say very forcefully that something is true:

Examples:

protest that Industry lobbyists protest that the charges on small loans would drive lenders out of business.

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