Dissent - Not the Most Agreeable SAT Word?
DISSENT most nearly means: A) consensus; B) resentment; C) disagreement; D) indifference. Answer inside. 👉️
Do you know assent already? You need to! Dissent (disagree/ment) and assent (agree/ment) are opposites. Watch out on the SAT: dissent (disagreement/to disagree) and descent (going downward) sound nearly identical but mean completely different things; pay close attention to spelling and context.
📚️ Definition of Dissent
Dissent (verb / noun): To hold or express opinions that differ from those officially or commonly accepted. Example: Only two of the ten judges dissented. As a noun, the expression of such disagreement. Example: a voice of dissent.
🗣️ Pronunciation of Dissent
IPA: /dɪˈsɛnt/ (See IPA key)
Respelling: dih-SENT
📰 Examples of Dissent
Here are some examples of the word dissent:
Several of scientists chose to dissent from the committee’s findings, arguing that the data didn’t clearly support the conclusion.
In the U.S. Supreme Court, the justices who disagree with the majority write a “dissenting“ opinion, which can often become influential in their own right.
Everyone in our friend group wanted to go to the newly-opened burger shack, but I had to dissent because I didn’t want to pay $17 + gratuity + service fee for something I can make at home.
Dissent is the natural activity of both the skeptic and the trained scientist.
Quiz answer: C, disagreement.
🧠 Summary of Dissent
Definition: Dissent as a verb means to disagree with a prevailing or official view, or as a noun, the expression of that disagreement itself. Dissent implies a deliberate, often principled refusal to tolerate an action, law, decision, etc.
Examples: A scientist challenging an accepted theory, a Supreme Court justice disagreeing with the majority, or a student pushing back on a new rule about hair styles are all acts of dissent.
Real-world connection: You encounter dissent constantly in politics and society, from simple expressions of disagreement to peaceful protests.
SAT relevance: Dissent is a high-frequency SAT word that appears in reading passages about history, science, and society.