What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Protest vs Refuse - What's the difference?

protest | refuse |

In intransitive terms the difference between protest and refuse

is that protest is to make a strong objection while refuse is to decline a request or demand, forbear; to withhold permission.

In transitive terms the difference between protest and refuse

is that protest is to affirm (something) while refuse is to decline (a request or demand).

As an adjective refuse is

discarded, rejected.

protest

Verb

(en verb)
  • (label) To make a strong objection.
  • :
  • :
  • *
  • *:As a political system democracy seems to me extraordinarily foolish, but I would not go out of my way to protest against it. My servant is, so far as I am concerned, welcome to as many votes as he can get. I would very gladly make mine over to him if I could.
  • *
  • (label) To affirm (something).
  • :
  • *(William Shakespeare) (c.1564–1616)
  • *:I will protest your cowardice.
  • *1919 , , (The Moon and Sixpence) ,
  • *:She flashed a smile at me, and, protesting an engagement with her dentist, jauntily walked on.
  • To object to.
  • :
  • To call as a witness in affirming or denying, or to prove an affirmation; to appeal to.
  • *(John Milton) (1608-1674)
  • *:Fiercely [they] opposed / My journey strange, with clamorous uproar / Protesting fate supreme.
  • 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.
  • Noun

    (en noun)
  • A formal objection, especially one by a group.
  • A collective gesture of disapproval: a demonstration.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-08-10, volume=408, issue=8848, magazine=(The Economist)
  • , title= Can China clean up fast enough? , passage=All this has led to an explosion of protest across China, including among a middle class that has discovered nimbyism.}}

    Synonyms

    * dissent * objection * protestation

    Derived terms

    * Protestant * protestation * protester * protest march * under protest

    Anagrams

    * * English heteronyms ----

    refuse

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) .

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Discarded, rejected.
  • Noun

    (-)
  • (UK) Collectively, items or material that have been discarded; rubbish, garbage.
  • Synonyms
    * discards * garbage (US ) * rubbish (UK ) * trash (US ) * See also

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) refuser, from .

    Verb

    (refus)
  • To decline (a request or demand).
  • My request for a pay rise was refused .
    I refuse to listen to this nonsense any more.
  • * Bible, Isa. i. 20
  • If ye refuse ye shall be devoured with the sword.
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2011 , date=September 27 , author=Alistair Magowan , title=Bayern Munich 2 - 0 Man City , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=City were outclassed thereafter and Roberto Mancini said that substitute Carlos Tevez refused to play.}}
  • To decline a request or demand, forbear; to withhold permission.
  • I asked the star if I could have her autograph, but she refused .
  • (military) To throw back, or cause to keep back (as the centre, a wing, or a flank), out of the regular alignment when troops are about to engage the enemy.
  • to refuse the right wing while the left wing attacks
  • (obsolete) To disown.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Refuse thy name.
    Usage notes
    * This is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive . See
    Synonyms
    * (decline) decline, reject, nill, say no to, turn down, veto, withsake * (decline a request or demand) say no, forbear

    Noun

  • (obsolete) refusal
  • (Fairfax)
    English heteronyms English reporting verbs ----