protester

/prəˈtestə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /prəˈtestər/ (ame, ipa) · /prəˈtestə(r), (ˈ)prō¦t-/ (ame, mw)

protester — noun

  • protestersingular
  • protestersplural

1. a person who joins a march, rally, or other public event to show strong disagree

1.名詞B1
釋義

a person who joins a march, rally, or other public event to show strong disagreement with a government, company, policy, or social issue — often by walking, shouting, or holding signs

例句

The protesters marched through the city centre, calling for better wages.

collocation: march + through + calling for [demand]

Hoa joined the protesters outside the town hall, holding a sign about climate change.

同義詞
  • demonstrator

    Very close in meaning; 'demonstrator' focuses on the act of showing (demonstrating), while 'protester' emphasises the act of objecting

  • activist

    Broader — an activist works for a cause over time, not only at public events

  • marcher

    Narrower — someone specifically walking in a procession as part of a protest

反義詞
  • supporter

    Someone who agrees with and backs the policy or side being protested

  • bystander

    Someone present but not taking part in the protest

文法句型

protester + verb (march, chant, hold signs)

用法筆記

Frequently used with verbs of collective action: 'gather', 'march', 'rally', 'chant', 'hold signs'. The noun is often modified by a cause: 'climate protesters', 'anti-war protesters', 'pro-democracy protesters'.

常見錯誤

❌The protester walked to work this morning.
✅The protester marched to city hall this morning.
💡'protester' implies public disagreement; using it for a routine action sounds odd.

2. a person who disagrees with an established rule, decision, or policy and express

2.名詞C1
釋義

a person who disagrees with an established rule, decision, or policy and expresses that opposition — not necessarily through a public march but through argument, vote, or complaint

例句

Only a handful of protesters voted against the new rules at the committee meeting.

collocation: handful of protesters + voted against

Three protesters against the board's decision filed a written objection.

collocation: protesters against [a decision]

同義詞
  • dissenter

    More formal and often used in political or religious contexts; a dissenter actively rejects authority

  • objector

    Often used in fixed phrases like 'conscientious objector'; implies a moral or principled stand

  • opponent

    Broader — anyone who is against something, not necessarily voicing it

文法句型

protester + against + [policy/decision]

用法筆記

Unlike sense 1, this sense does not require a public or outdoor setting. The disagreement may happen in formal meetings, written statements, or votes. Distinguish from sense 1 (PUBLIC DEMONSTRATION) by the presence or absence of a street-level event.

常見錯誤

❌My brother is a protester against broccoli in his diet.
✅My brother dislikes broccoli.
💡'protester' is too strong for personal taste; use it for disagreement with policies, rules, or decisions.