Word
objection
Phoneticsob·jec·tion, stress on the second syllable
US/əbˈdʒɛkʃən/
UK/ɒbdʒˈɛkʃən/
Definitions
01disagreement or reason against
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a reason why you do not like or agree with a plan or idea.
n. an expression or feeling of disapproval or opposition; a reason or argument presented against a proposal.
“The main objection to the new highway is that it will be too noisy for the neighbors.”
“Despite several strong objections to the proposed budget cuts, the board decided to move forward with the plan anyway.”
Usage
Usually followed by the preposition 'to' and a noun or gerund.
Pitfall
I have an objection against the new rule.
I have an objection to the new rule.
The noun 'objection' is almost always followed by the preposition 'to', not 'against'.
Synonyms
02legal protest
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Law Formal · Technical
n. a formal protest made in a court of law because a rule was broken.
n. a formal protest raised during a trial or legal proceeding regarding a violation of the rules of evidence or procedure.
“The lawyer raised an objection when the witness started talking about rumors.”
“The judge sustained the defense's objection, ruling that the prosecution's line of questioning was irrelevant to the current case.”
Usage
Commonly used with the verbs 'raise', 'overrule', or 'sustain'.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “objection” in context.
Verb
01. overrule an objection
“The judge overruled the objection, allowing the witness to continue her testimony.”
verb + noun
02. raise an objection
“Several committee members raised an objection to the proposed budget cuts.”
verb + noun
03. sustain an objection
“The defense attorney was pleased when the court sustained his objection.”
verb + noun
04. voice an objection to the plan
“Local residents voiced a strong objection to the plan to build a new highway through the park.”
verb + noun + prep + noun
Adjective
05. ethical objection
“Some doctors have a deep ethical objection to the new medical procedure.”
adj + noun
06. strenuous objection
“Despite strenuous objections from the opposition, the bill was passed into law.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. objection to the proposal
“Their main objection to the proposal was the lack of environmental safeguards.”
noun + prep + noun
Preposition
08. over the objections of the board
“The CEO decided to proceed with the merger over the objections of the board.”
prep + noun + prep + noun
Real-World Examples
“The moral objections to Infantino’s investment plan are manifest, but perhaps more striking still – for a president who has staked everything on his ability to drive revenue – is the economic illiteracy.” “He says the matters were raised by Patterson’s defence lawyer, Colin Mandy SC , in his closing address and some in objections during the trial.” Etymology
From Middle French objection, from Old French objeccion, from Latin obiectio. Equivalent to object + -ion.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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