Dissent Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

The word dissent is a term that carries a massive amount of weight. The modern world is constantly progressing in how it views problems, and many people are seeking out powerful ways to change the status quo. In these situations, the word dissent has a lot of importance. 

But at the end of the day, what does the word dissent really mean? Read on to find out! 

What Is the Definition of Dissent?

Dissent is defined in the English dictionary as the expression or holding of opinions contrary to the doctrine, official belief, or majority decision that is common or previously held. Dissent is based on an opposing view or dissatisfaction with the status quo, and in many cases, is found in the voicing of a minority opinion. 

For example, when one party expresses disagreement with another party, they will express dissent from the opposing side. This word is commonly used in politics, culture, and judicial opinion, where there is likely to be lots of nonconformity in opinion or doctrine. 

Dissent can be used as both a noun and a verb. 

What Is the Etymology of the Word Dissent?

The word dissent is rooted in the Latin dissentire. This word amalgamates two Latin words – dis, which means “apart,” and sentīre, which means “to think.” 

Latin was a primary language for educated people within the established church in Europe throughout the middle ages. The church and Christianity had authority in almost every area of power, which meant that many complex words were uprooted from Latin and put into English. 

Around the early 1400s, the word was turned into the middle English dissenten, which retained the meaning of the Latin dissentīre but transposed it in the more commonly spoken language in the church of England. Therefore, the word dissent has Indo-European roots, just as it has Latin origins. 

As the word became more thoroughly incorporated into the English language, it became a more professional way to express nonconcurrence, a separate opinion, or a disagreement with an official position. 

While the act of dissenting sometimes left opposing sides at odds with each other, disagreeing was still generally seen as the most gracious and polite way to express opposition with another side. 

How Is Dissent Used in the Modern World?

One everyday context for the use of the word dissent in today’s world is in the area of judicial practice. When one side disagrees with a judgment or judge’s opinion, they will typically express dissent with that side. 

This happens when one side comes to a different consensus or develops different views about how a judiciary should interpret a country’s laws. The contrary sentiment expressed by the opposing side can occasionally lead to a quarrel, but in most contexts, it is still handled professionally. 

Much of American heritage is reflected by serving the people through expressing dissent. For example, when most judges find problems with a prevailing idea, they will express their dissent by creating a new proposition for the law. 

Even if there is a contrary dissenting opinion, the court majority will commonly determine the outcome. This ensures that the most popular beliefs and opinions win out because they represent most people’s opinions. 

Another area where dissent is used in the modern world is cultural and social issues. When problems affect a large group of people, they will likely protest. 

Protest is a public manifestation of dissent. It displays a refusal to accept the status quo and expresses nonagreement with how things are currently being operated. Protesting is one of the most popular ways to show dissent as a large entity. 

How Does Dissent Appear in the Church?

Dissent was initially used to describe disagreements within the church, and the word is still used for that in today’s world. When a group within the church has a different system of beliefs from the doctrine of an established church, they will often express dissent. 

This is precisely what happened in the Protestant reformation. Throughout this reformation, protestant leaders began to publicly dissent from the practices of an established church, namely the Roman Catholic church. 

Even though most of the judges were still in line with the Catholic church, many Protestants began operating contrary to their prevailing ideas, doctrines, and rites. This later led to the splitting of the church at large, turning it into what most people recognize as the church today. 

Synonyms and Antonyms for Dissent

As time has passed, many more words have developed with similar meanings and definitions. Here are some of the most popular synonyms and antonyms for dissent in English today, according to Power Thesaurus:

• Protest
• Disagree
• Conflict
• Opposition
• Differ
• Objection
• Dispute
• Discord
• Demur
• Disaccord
• Dissidence
• ​Resistance
• Contention
• Friction
• Disunity
• Nonconformity 

Here are some of the most popular antonyms for dissent, as listed by Power Thesaurus:

• Agree
• Assent
• Consent
• Sanction
• Approval
• Concur
• Concurrence
• Accord
• Endorsement
• Contract
• Accept
• Admit
• Authorize
• Consensus
• Harmony
• Concede

Examples of Dissent in Common Sentences

One of the best ways to understand how dissent works in joint discussion is by incorporating it into actual world sentences, like these:

• The group of online creators chose to express dissent with the overarching copyright strikes placed on their videos. 
• The jury dissented with the widespread belief that the random house on Collins Street and Main corner should be demolished. 
• Even though two of the judges vehemently dissented with the majority, they now had to regard the bill as law. 
• Many of the communities in this area have gotten used to living with the dissent of the people who live in the downtown area. 
• Martin Luther determined that it was better to dissent from the authority of an established church than to have to participate in a belief system he didn’t believe in. 
• Many people in this area dissent from the judicial opinion about the right to own a horse in a suburban backyard. 
• I know that you are dissenting from the dictionary of the English language, but that doesn’t mean that I won’t take away points for misspelling the word “cow.”

Now that you’ve seen these example sentences, you can truly know how to use the word dissent in everyday conversation! 

Sources: 

1. Dissent synonyms – 2 063 Words and Phrases for Dissent | Power Thesaurus
2. Dissent antonyms – 2 139 Opposites of Dissent | Power Thesaurus
3. Dissent Definition & Meaning | Merriam-Webster
4. The Protestant Reformation | National Geographic Society