dissent

[ dih-sent ]

verb (used without object)

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

   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 ( def ).
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

Derived Forms

• disˈsenter, noun
• disˈsenting, adjective
• disˈsentingly, adverb

Other Words From

• dis·senting·ly adverb
• nondis·senting adjective noun
• undis·senting 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

When Trump and his crew take the reins again, I expect the machinery of power to run on revenge, to silence those who dissent, to remake this place in a darker image.

From Salon

Many members of Russia's opposition have been exiled since the Kremlin escalated its crackdown on dissent, jailing hundreds - perhaps thousands - of people for their political views.

From BBC

Late that Tuesday evening, the court ended the Florida recount in an unsigned opinion with four dissents.

From Los Angeles Times

The rise in dissent towards officials was reflected in the £1m of fines for surrounding referees and mass confrontations in 2022-23.

From BBC

His work with the Setit included criticism of the government and calls for democratic reform and free expression, actions that led to his arrest in a crackdown on dissent.

From BBC

Related Words

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

Dissent Vs. Descent

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.

Quiz yourself on dissent vs. descent!

Should dissent or descent be used in the following sentence?

The plane’s rapid _____ was caused by a faulty engine.