Opposition & Resistance Vocabulary

to hold or express opinions that differ from the majority

“Several justices dissented from the ruling.”

Origin: Latin dissentire `to differ in opinion` from dis- `apart` + sentire `to feel`

to raise doubts or objections; show reluctance

“She demurred when asked to take on more work.”

Origin: Latin demorari `to delay` from de- `away` + morari `to delay` from mora `delay`

to hesitate or refuse to accept an idea

“Investors balked at the high price.”

Origin: Old Norse bálkr `partition, ridge` referring to an obstacle

to reject ungraciously; snub

“His offer of help was rebuffed coldly.”

Origin: Italian ribuffare `to repulse` from ri- `back` + buffo `puff, gust`

to refuse to accept or be associated with

“The candidate repudiated the controversial remarks.”

Origin: Latin repudiare `to reject, divorce` from repudium `divorce` from re- `back` + pudere `to be ashamed`

to publicly declare to be wrong or evil

“World leaders denounced the attack.”

Origin: Latin denuntiare `to announce, proclaim` from de- `down` + nuntiare `to announce`

to publicly denounce; criticize openly

“Critics decried the decision as unjust.”

Origin: French décrier `to cry down` from dé- `down` + crier `to cry`

to express complete disapproval of

“The organization condemned the use of violence.”

Origin: Latin condemnare `to sentence, doom` from con- `intensive` + damnare `to harm, condemn`

to dispute the truth or validity of

“They attempted to impugn his credibility.”

Origin: Latin impugnare `to attack, assault` from in- `against` + pugnare `to fight`

to prove a statement or theory wrong

“She refuted every point of his argument.”

Origin: Latin refutare `to drive back, repel` from re- `back` + futare `to beat`

to claim or prove something false

“The defendant rebutted the prosecution's claims.”

Origin: Old French reboter `to thrust back` from re- `back` + boter `to thrust`

to deny the truth of a statement

“The evidence contradicted his testimony.”

Origin: Latin contradicere `to speak against` from contra- `against` + dicere `to speak`

to deny or contradict a fact or statement

“No one could gainsay the obvious truth.”

Origin: Old English gegn `against` + secgan `to say`

to oppose or challenge

“She contested the will in court.”

Origin: Latin contestari `to call to witness` from con- `together` + testari `to bear witness`

to argue about; question the validity of

“Historians dispute the accuracy of the account.”

Origin: Latin disputare `to weigh, examine` from dis- `apart` + putare `to reckon, think`

to conflict with; go against

“The action contravenes international law.”

Origin: Latin contravenire `to come against` from contra- `against` + venire `to come`

to openly resist or refuse to obey

“She defied convention by pursuing her dreams.”

Origin: Old French desfier `to renounce faith` from des- `away` + fier `to trust` from Latin fidere

to openly disregard a rule or convention

“He flouted the dress code repeatedly.”

Origin: Dutch fluiten `to play the flute, mock` or Middle English flouten `to mock`

to prevent someone from accomplishing something

“Bad weather thwarted their plans.”

Origin: Old Norse þvert `across, transverse` from þverr `transverse`

to erode the base or foundation of

“The scandal undermined public trust in the institution.”

Origin: Middle English underminen `to dig under` from under + mine `to dig`

protest against official policy

“The government crushed all signs of political dissidence.”

Origin: Latin dissidere `to sit apart, disagree` from dis- `apart` + sedere `to sit`

having an obstinately uncooperative attitude

“The recalcitrant employee refused to follow the new rules.”

Origin: Latin recalcitrare `to kick back` from re- `back` + calcitrare `to kick` from calx `heel`