protest

verb protests · protesting · protested

1. intransitive To make a strong objection. How dare you, I protest!
2. transitive To affirm (something). I protest my innocence.
3. To object to. "The gay community would love to point to Patti and say, 'She's one of us'" […] I protest the statement I have mentioned, as well as others like it. Few people I know, gay or straight, identify with the often outrageous thoughts of Patti Smith. Among other things, she's indicated in interviews that
4. Canada, US, transitive To publicly demonstrate against. They protested the demolition of the school.
5. To call as a witness in affirming or denying, or to prove an affirmation; to appeal to. Fiercely [they] opposed / My journey strange, with clamorous uproar / Protesting fate supreme.
6. transitive to make a solemn written declaration, in due form, on behalf of the holder, against all parties liable for any loss or damage to be sustained by non-acceptance or non-payment of (a bill or note). This should be made by a notary public, whose seal it is the usual practice to affix.
7. obsolete, transitive To publish; to make known.

noun protests

1. countable, uncountable A formal objection, especially one by a group. They lodged a protest with the authorities.
2. countable, uncountable A collective gesture of disapproval; a demonstration. We held a protest in front of City Hall.
3. countable, uncountable The noting by a notary public of an unpaid or unaccepted bill.
4. countable, uncountable A written declaration, usually by the master of a ship, stating the circumstances attending loss or damage of ship or cargo, etc.

Similar: dissent, objection, protestation