dissent 1 of 2

noun

Definition of dissentnext
1
as in discord
a lack of agreement or harmony considerable dissent within the party's rank and file

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2
as in dissidence
departure from a generally accepted theory, opinion, or practice the church reacted to any form of dissent by promptly excommunicating its proponents

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dissent

2 of 2

verb

di-ˈsent How to pronounce dissent (audio)
as in to disagree
to have a different opinion anyone who dissented was encouraged to speak out while they had the chance

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dissent
Noun
Despite internal dissent within the intelligence community and a glaring lack of hard evidence, the media did little to challenge these claims. — Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026 During transformation, leaders should explicitly invite dissent. — John Radman, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented, joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor. — Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026 However, the current leadership at Health and Human Services has demonstrated an intolerance for internal dissenting dialogue — a significant impediment to rapid course correction. — Daniel Jernigan, STAT, 26 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dissent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dissent
  1. discord
  2. dissidence
  3. disagree
  4. strife
  5. heresy
  6. friction
  7. nonconformity
  8. conflict
Noun
  • Police have not revealed a motive for the attack, but court records exposed months of discord that appeared to be worsening.
    — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
  • At a time of international discord, supporting Syria’s future has become a rare point of consensus – and the reason largely lies in geography.
    — Tala Alrajjal, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of discord
Noun
  • While most sci-fi of the time was chipper and optimistic about our future, Blake’s 7 was a sci-fi show that explored themes of political dissidence, cynicism, and freedom fighting.
    — William Worrall, Space.com, 15 July 2026
  • So why aren’t more people signing up for decadent dissidence?
    — Eileen G'Sell, The Conversation, 8 June 2026
Definition of dissidence
Verb
  • Those details can become relevant when the parties disagree about why a termination happened.
    — William Jones, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • But Noakes disagrees with the characterization of the movie as lefty propaganda, and for different reasons so would many of the millions who return to It’s a Wonderful Life as a Christmas tradition.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of disagree
Noun
  • After conquering a country in ruins and containing sectarian strife, Syria’s postrevolutionary government is facing its most serious crisis yet – at the pumps.
    — Taylor Luck, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The playoffs will conclude an eventful 2026 season fans at one point worried would either be abbreviated or eliminated entirely by labor strife.
    — Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of strife
Noun
  • The campaign has included an allegation of heresy This year’s race is unusual because of attacks from the Christian right branding Hamilton a heretic.
    — John Hanna, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • This interpretation was not universally popular—in fact, conservative elements in the Presbyterian Church threatened to put Fosdick on denominational trial for heresy.
    — Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of heresy
Noun
  • Bryan has rarely shied away from friction with powerful figures.
    — Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Mercury in your partnership house squares Mars in your 4th, creating friction between another person’s perspective and what feels comfortable or settled to you.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of friction
Noun
  • How much, if at all, gender nonconformity was accepted, is not directly evident.
    — Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 May 2026
  • In that movie, Keating taught English and poetry, so his open mind and nonconformity worked.
    — Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Apr. 2026
Definition of nonconformity
Noun
  • With the whizbang action long in the series’ rearview, this quiet road trip proves its emotional centerpiece, as Noah confesses both his true nature and his desire to be better — the conflict of his programming.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The decision marks a dramatic reversal, after Ethiopian and Eritrean forces united in fighting the TPLF during the previous conflict.
    — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of conflict

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Cite this Entry

“Dissent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dissent. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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