dissenter

UK: /dɪˈsɛntə/ US: (di sen′tər)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

dis•sent•er  (di sen′tər), n. 

1. a person who dissents, as from an established church, political party, or majority opinion.
2. Religion (sometimes cap.) an English Protestant who dissents from the Church of England.

• dissent + -er¹ 1630–40

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

dissenter / dɪˈsɛntə/ noun

1. a person who dissents
2. (also capital) a Nonconformist or a person who refuses to conform to the established church

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

dis•sent /dɪˈsɛnt/   v. 

1. to differ in thinking or opinion, esp. from the majority: [no object]
   If enough of us dissent, the new regulation won't be passed.
   [~ + from + object]
   He enjoys dissenting from us.

n. [uncountable]

2. difference of thinking or opinion;
   disagreement:
   Dissent about the matter kept us from reaching an agreement.

dis•sent•er, n. [countable] See -sent-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

dis•sent  (di sent′), v.i. 

1. to differ in sentiment or opinion, esp. from the majority;
   withhold assent;
   disagree (often fol. by from):
   Two of the justices dissented from the majority decision.
2. Government to disagree with the methods, goals, etc., of a political party or government;
   take an opposing view.
3. to disagree with or reject the doctrines or authority of an established church.

n. 

4. difference of sentiment or opinion.
5. Law See dissenting opinion. 
6. Government disagreement with the philosophy, methods, goals, etc., of a political party or government.
7. separation from an established church, esp. the Church of England;
   nonconformity.

• Latin dissentīre, equivalent. to dis- dis-¹ + sentīre to feel
• Middle French dissentir)
• late Middle English dissenten (1400–50

dis•sent′ing•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 4, 6. disagreement, dissatisfaction, opposition.
  Dissent, dissidence mean disagreement with the majority opinion.
  Dissent may express either withholding of agreement or open disagreement.
  Dissidence, formerly much the same as dissent, has come to suggest not only strong dissatisfaction but a determined opposition.