dissent

[dih-sent] /dɪˈsɛnt/
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
4.
difference of sentiment or opinion.
5.
dissenting opinion.
6.
disagreement with the philosophy, methods, goals, etc., of a political party or government.
7.
separation from an established church, especially the Church of England; nonconformity.
Origin
1400-50; late Middle English dissenten (< Middle French dissentir) < Latin dissentīre, equivalent to dis- dis-1 + sentīre to feel
Related forms
dissentingly, adverb
nondissenting, adjective, noun
undissenting, adjective
Can be confused
decent, descent, dissent.
Synonyms
4, 6. disagreement, dissatisfaction, opposition. 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.
Examples from the web for dissent
  • Suppressing dissent is an authoritarian action worthy of a dictatorship .
  • That's the fuel for the engine of dissent.
  • In politics, for example, it is easy to see the progress of dissent.
  • You say dissent, I say intolerance and egoism.
  • But the squashing of dissent can go too far.
  • This amendment was also agreed to, without dissent.
  • But not one of his colleagues joined him in dissent.
  • They mistake dissent for disloyalty.
  • The surprise is how quickly debate and dissent have spread among the general public.
  • If anything, their dissent should have been even louder.
British Dictionary definitions for dissent

dissent

/dɪˈsɛnt/
verb (intransitive)
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
3.
a difference of opinion
4.
(Christianity) separation from an established church; Nonconformism
5.
the voicing of a minority opinion in announcing the decision on a case at law; dissenting judgment
Derived Forms
dissenter, noun
dissenting, adjective
dissentingly, adverb
Word Origin
C16: from Latin dissentīre to disagree, from dis-1 + sentīre to perceive, feel
Word Origin and History for dissent
v.

early 15c., from Latin dissentire "differ in sentiments, disagree, be at odds, contradict, quarrel," from dis- "differently" (see dis-) + sentire "to feel, think" (see sense (n.)). Related: Dissented; dissenting. The noun is 1580s, from the verb.

Has there ever been a society which has died of dissent? Several have died of conformity in our lifetime. [Jacob Bronowski "Science and Human Values," 1956]