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dissent

dih-SENT /dɪˈsent/

nounverbC1GRESATACTTOEFLIELTS

formallegalpolitical

To hold or express opinions that are at variance with those previously or officially held; (as a noun) the expression or holding of such opinions.

Dissent is primarily intellectual or verbal. It implies a principled disagreement with a majority or authority figure, often expressed through formal channels (like a judicial dissent) rather than violent action.

The story behind the word. In ancient Rome, if you felt differently from the crowd, you were literally 'feeling apart' (dis-sentire). The word originally described a sensory or emotional divergence before it evolved into our modern word for intellectual disagreement.

Word relationships

disagreement: Disagreement is a general term for differing views, whereas dissent specifically implies opposing a powerful majority or official doctrine.
nonconformity: Nonconformity is a failure to align with social customs, while dissent is an active expression of disagreement with specific policies or beliefs.

assent: Assent is the formal expression of agreement with a proposal or opinion.
concurrence: Concurrence is agreement in opinion, often resulting in joint action.

Commonly confused with

descent: Descent refers to moving downward or a person's ancestry, while dissent refers to disagreement.

Word family

dissenter (noun): A person who dissents from an established church, political party, or majority opinion.
dissenting (adjective): Expressing a different opinion from the majority.

Collocations

express dissent
voice dissent
stifle dissent
dissenting opinion

Example sentences

"In his famous objection to the majority ruling, the justice wrote, 'I dissent from the decision this day.'" A famous judicial disagreement in United States history.

Memory hook

Think of 'dis-sent' as sending a 'dis' (disrespect/disagreement) to the majority's opinion. Dissent is a disagreement sent from the heart.

When not to use

Do not use dissent to describe physical violence or armed rebellion. Use 'revolt' or 'insurgency' for physical uprisings.

Fun facts

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was famously known as 'The Great Dissenter' and wore a specific 'dissent collar' on days she read her dissenting opinions.