dissenters

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dissenters" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to individuals or groups who disagree with a prevailing opinion, doctrine, or authority, often in a political or religious context. Example: "Throughout history, dissenters have played a crucial role in challenging unjust laws and advocating for social change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The right to dissent keeps dissenters active in politics instead of driving them into insurrection.

The Economist

Chief Justice Roberts could conceivably be a sixth vote to uphold – the chief justice surrenders his power to assign the opinion if he joins with the dissenters, and if Kennedy's vote is lost, he may decide to try to moderate the opinion upholding the statute – but I think it's highly unlikely that he would be a fifth.

The Guardian - Opinion

The government's supporters claim international news outlets are biased in their reporting of human rights abuses against Morsi supporters and secular dissenters – and accuse overseas outlets of working in the Brotherhood's interests.

The Guardian

Among the seven Republican dissenters who did not sign the Cotton letter was the chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee, Bob Corker, who noted that its signatories were only Republicans, and that he was focused on gathering a bi-partisan two-thirds majority aimed at forcing Obama to submit any nuclear deal to Congress.

The Guardian

Although several other countries are lukewarm about renewing or extending sanctions against Moscow or the Russian separatists, diplomats said there were no other dissenters on the statement, which squarely held Russia to blame for facilitating the Mariupol attack.

The Guardian

With internal dissent rumbling in recent weeks within the government ranks and at the top of the AKP, the poor result for Erdoğan is likely to embolden dissenters and could spark a power stuggle.

The Guardian

Gladstone's first administration "opened up" the civil service (by abolishing appointment by patronage), the army (by prohibiting the purchase of commissions) and the ancient universities (by insisting on the admission of dissenters).

The Guardian - Opinion

MR. LAYCOCK: We we take Marsh to to imply that atheists cannot get full relief in this context, and the McCreary dissenters said that explicitly.

The Economist

In his Letter Concerning Toleration of 1689, John Locke presented a host of reasons why states should stay their hand rather than oppress religious dissenters.

The Economist

Dynastic bull Patent fiction Buffing up Pass the tequila Peer pressure Opportunistic overheating Draghi and the dissenters An on-off relationship Economics writer Clarification Reprints.

The Economist

The department has already voted to sponsor the event (but not to endorse it, a conflation Mr Dershowitz makes consistently) and has, by his reasoning, created an atmosphere of ideological purity on the question of Israel/Palestine where pro-Israel dissenters are unwelcome.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "dissenters", consider specifying the context of their dissent to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Do not assume that all "dissenters" share the same motivations or goals. Recognize the diversity within dissenting groups.

Linguistic Context

The word "dissenters" functions as a plural noun, typically referring to a group of people who hold or express opinions that are in opposition to official or commonly held views. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Formal & Business

13%

Science

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dissenters" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed plural noun used to describe individuals or groups in opposition to prevailing views. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is correct. Its usage spans across diverse contexts, notably in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. When using "dissenters", it's crucial to avoid generalizations and recognize the diverse motivations within dissenting groups. For alternative phrasing, consider using "opponents", "protesters", or "dissidents" depending on the specific nuance required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

objectors

Emphasizes the act of raising objections against something.

opponents

Highlights a position of direct opposition or rivalry.

protesters

Focuses on public demonstration of disagreement.

dissidents

Implies a more fundamental disagreement, often against a political system.

challengers

Highlights the act of questioning or contesting something.

nonconformists

Focuses on those who do not adhere to conventional norms or practices.

contrarians

Highlights a tendency to take opposing views, even for the sake of argument.

rebels

Suggests active resistance against authority or established norms.

holdouts

Emphasizes resistance to joining an agreement or conforming to a group.

malcontents

Implies a general dissatisfaction and tendency to complain.

FAQs

How can I use "dissenters" in a sentence?

You can use "dissenters" to refer to individuals or groups who disagree with a prevailing opinion, doctrine, or authority. For example: "The government cracked down on political dissenters."

What's a good alternative to the word "dissenters"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "opponents", "protesters", or "dissidents".

Is it always negative to be a "dissenter"?

Not necessarily. While "dissenters" often face opposition, their actions can lead to positive social change and challenge unjust systems.

What distinguishes "dissenters" from "critics"?

"Critics" offer evaluations, while "dissenters" express opposition, often stemming from fundamental disagreements. While all dissenters can be critics, not all critics are necessarily dissenters.