Word
protest
/ˈpɹoʊˌtɛst/
Definitions
01public demonstration
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. an event where many people gather to show they disagree with something, like a new law or a government decision.
n. a public expression of objection, disapproval, or dissent towards an idea or action, typically taking the form of a mass demonstration.
“Thousands of people joined the protest against the new tax laws in the city centre.”
“The peaceful protest escalated into a broader social movement as citizens from various backgrounds united to demand systemic legislative reform.”
Synonyms
02formal objection
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Law Formal
n. a formal statement or letter that says you do not agree with a decision.
n. a formal declaration or written statement expressing dissent or objection to a specific legal, administrative, or official act.
“The company filed a formal protest after they lost the government contract.”
“The legal team submitted a written protest to the tribunal, arguing that the procedural errors had prejudiced the final verdict.”
03to demonstrate against
B1 · Intermediate
v. to show publicly that you think something is wrong or unfair.
v. to express strong objection or disapproval publicly, often through organised group activities.
“Students gathered outside the university to protest against the increase in tuition fees.”
“Environmental activists continue to protest the construction of the pipeline, citing irreversible damage to the local ecosystem and water supply.”
Pitfall
They protested against of the new rules.
They protested against the new rules.
The verb 'protest' is followed by 'against' or used transitively; do not add 'of' after 'against'.
Synonyms
04to insist or affirm
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
v. to say something very strongly, especially when other people do not believe you.
v. to affirm or declare something solemnly or earnestly, often in response to doubt or accusation.
“Even after he was caught, he continued to protest his innocence.”
“The defendant continued to protest that he had no prior knowledge of the conspiracy, despite the evidence presented by the prosecution.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “protest” in context.
Verb
01. ignore protest
“The council chose to ignore the public protest and continue with the plan.”
verb + noun
02. organize protest
“Students are planning to organize a protest against the tuition fee hike.”
verb + noun
03. protest erupts
“Protests erupted in the capital after the election results were announced.”
noun + verb
04. protest spreads
“The protest spread to other cities as anger over the policy grew.”
noun + verb
Adjective
05. formal protest
“The embassy lodged a formal protest regarding the border incident.”
adj + noun
06. mass protest
“The decision sparked mass protests across the entire country.”
adj + noun
07. peaceful protest
“Thousands of people joined a peaceful protest against the new law.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. march of protest
“They joined a march of protest through the center of town.”
noun + prep + noun
09. sign of protest
“Workers wore black armbands as a sign of protest.”
noun + prep + noun
10. hold a protest rally
“The union decided to hold a protest rally in the square.”
11. lodge a formal protest
“The player lodged a formal protest against the referee's decision.”
12. spark a wave of protests
“The controversial new tax sparked a wave of protests nationwide.”
Real-World Examples
“Four-hundred-and-forty people, mostly minors, have been arrested and 76 injured as a wave of school protests over overcrowded classes and teacher shortages spreads across France, officials say.” “On Thursday, hundreds of people in New York City protested Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, who spoke at the U.N.” “Large protests against the Trump administration have taken place in cities across the US, marking the third iteration of No Kings rallies.” “About 85,000 people had protested across the country as of midday, the Interior Ministry said - less than half the attendance it reported at the same time in a day of strikes and protests in September.” Etymology
PIE word *tréyes From the Middle English verb protesten, from Old French protester, from Latin prōtestārī, from prō + testor, from testis (“witness”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
Related words
Idioms
01. protest too much
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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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