protest
gb/pɹˈoʊtɛst/ us/pɹˈoʊtɛst/
B1
English
~ 3000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
event
1
public show of opposition
A public meeting or march where people show they are against something.
Usage pattern:
a protest against [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'protest' (noun) with 'protect', which has a completely different meaning.
Synonyms
demonstration (Often interchangeable, but 'demonstration' can also mean showing support, not only opposition.)
Antonyms
celebration (A gathering to express joy or support instead of opposition.)
Collocations
hold a protest
|join a protest
|peaceful protest
|protest march
|protest rally
Themes
politics
|society
|law
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Thousands attended the protest against the new law.
- The protest turned violent after police arrived.
- She organized a protest to raise awareness about climate change.
- Workers staged a protest outside the company headquarters.
- The city granted permission for the protest to take place downtown.
Learner examples
- Many people joined the protest.
- The protest was in the city center.
- They went to the protest after work.
- The protest started at 10 a.m.
- He took photos of the protest.
Verb
B1
action
2
to show opposition publicly
To say or show you are against something, often in public.
Usage pattern:
to protest against [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may forget to use 'against' after 'protest' when talking about the thing they oppose.
Synonyms
demonstrate (Very similar in meaning; 'demonstrate' can be more formal and may also mean to show support.)
Antonyms
support (To actively agree with or promote something instead of opposing it.)
Collocations
protest peacefully
|protest loudly
|protest against injustice
|students protest
|workers protest
Themes
politics
|society
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Citizens protested against the increase in taxes.
- They protested outside the parliament building.
- Environmentalists protested to stop the construction project.
- She protested against unfair treatment at work.
- Thousands protested peacefully in the capital city.
Learner examples
- People protested in front of the bank.
- They protested against the new rules.
- Students protested at the school gate.
- The workers protested for more pay.
- We protested in the park.
Verb
B2
action
3
to object or disagree clearly
To say strongly that you do not agree with something.
Usage pattern:
to protest that [clause]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this meaning with public demonstrations; here it refers to personal spoken objection.
Synonyms
object ('Object' is more formal and less emotional; 'protest' can suggest strong feeling.)
Antonyms
agree (To accept or consent to something instead of opposing it.)
Collocations
protest innocence
|protest strongly
|protest loudly
Themes
communication
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He protested that he had done nothing wrong.
- She protested her innocence to the police.
- They protested that the decision was unfair.
- I must protest—this is not what we agreed on.
- The teacher protested when the meeting was canceled.
Learner examples
- He protested that it was not his fault.
- She protested her innocence.
- They protested that it was too late.
- I protested when they changed the plan.
- We protested that the rules were unfair.
Grammar
Dictionary form
protest
IPA
GB/pɹˈoʊtɛst/
US/pɹˈoʊtɛst/
Syllables & stress
protest (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (protest)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: protest
- Plural: protest, protests
Verb
- Base: protest
- 3rd Person Singular: protests
- Present Participle: protesting
- Past: protested
Word family
Forms
protests
noun
protesting
verb
protested
verb
Core family
protester
noun B1
Advanced or less common
protestation
noun
Expressions
in protest
1/ˈɪn pɹˈoʊtɛst/
fixed phrase
as an act of opposition
As a way of showing you are against something.
Examples
- Many workers left their desks in protest over the new policy.
- She refused to attend the meeting in protest at how she had been treated.
protest march
1/pɹˈoʊtɛst mˈɑɹt͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
organized walk to oppose something
A walk by many people to show they are against something.
Examples
- Thousands joined the protest march through the city center.
- The protest march blocked traffic for several hours.
stage a protest
1/stˈeɪd͡ʒ ə pɹˈoʊtɛst/
fixed phrase
organize a public demonstration
To plan and make a public meeting or march to show you are against something.
Examples
- The students staged a protest outside the administration building.
- Activists staged a protest to demand action on climate change.