in protest

USAGE SUMMARY

"in protest" is a valid phrase that can be used in written English.
You can use it to indicate when someone is expressing disagreement or dissatisfaction with something - often by taking part in an organized demonstration. For example: "The students blocked the entrance to the school building in protest of the new rules."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Some left in protest.

The Economist

Pinkerton resigned in protest.

The New York Times

She cried in protest.

The New York Times

Ebadi resigned in protest.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"They didn't march in protest.

Independent

Four surgeons quit in protest.

The New Yorker

Some refused water in protest.

Independent

A few committee members quit in protest.

The New York Times - Health

Four board members resigned in protest.

The New York Times

A provincial governor has resigned in protest.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

8000 present in sit-in protest.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in protest" to clearly indicate that an action is being taken to express disagreement or disapproval. It provides context for understanding the motivation behind the action.

Common error

Avoid using "in protest" when simply expressing a personal opinion. Ensure the action is a deliberate and public expression of disagreement, not just a private sentiment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in protest" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating the reason or motive behind an action. Ludwig examples show its use to explain why individuals or groups are acting in a certain way, aligning with Ludwig AI which validates the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

11%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in protest" is a common and grammatically sound way to express dissent or disagreement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it clearly indicates that an action is motivated by opposition to something. Ludwig examples show that it appears most frequently in News & Media sources, with neutral register, making it suitable for various formal and informal contexts. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the intention behind the action, and consider using alternatives like "as a form of protest" or "to voice opposition" for a slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a form of protest

Specifies the action as a method of expressing dissent.

to voice opposition

Focuses on the act of expressing disagreement verbally or in writing.

to demonstrate against

Highlights the act of publicly showing disapproval.

in defiance

Emphasizes the rebellious aspect of the action.

as an act of resistance

Positions the action as a challenge to authority or power.

to object strongly

Indicates a high level of disapproval.

to register dissent

Implies a formal or official expression of disagreement.

to challenge the decision

Focuses on questioning or disputing a specific decision.

to express disapproval

A general way to state disagreement without specifying the method.

to kick against

Highlights the act of showing disagreement, but this idiom is used more informally.

FAQs

How to use "in protest" in a sentence?

Use "in protest" to describe actions taken to show disagreement or disapproval. For example, "The workers went on strike "in protest" of the new labor laws."

What can I say instead of "in protest"?

You can use alternatives like "as a form of protest", "to voice opposition", or "to demonstrate against" depending on the context.

Is it formal to say "in protest"?

"In protest" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, the formality of the surrounding language will influence the overall tone.

What's the difference between ""in protest"" and "in demonstration"?

"In protest" indicates the motive behind an action, while "in demonstration" describes the action itself. You might march in demonstration "in protest" of something.