dissidence: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Academic, Political
Quick answer
What does “dissidence” mean?
The act or state of disagreeing with or opposing an established government, political system, or dominant opinion.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act or state of disagreeing with or opposing an established government, political system, or dominant opinion.
A stance of nonconformity, protest, or refusal to accept official policies or doctrines, often expressed publicly. It can apply to political, religious, or ideological contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is used identically in formal contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
Strongly associated with historical and contemporary political movements, dissent against authoritarian regimes, and intellectual nonconformity.
Frequency
Low-frequency in everyday speech but stable in formal writing, journalism, and political analysis in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “dissidence” in a Sentence
dissidence against [authority/regime]dissidence within [group/organisation]a voice of dissidenceVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dissidence” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The group continued to dissident against the monarchy's policies.
- He was arrested for dissiding.
American English
- The group continued to dissent against the monarchy's policies.
- He was arrested for dissenting.
adverb
British English
- He spoke dissidently about the proposal. (Rare/Strained)
- The article was written dissidently.
American English
- He spoke dissentingly about the proposal. (Rare/Strained)
- The article was written in a dissenting manner.
adjective
British English
- The dissident group published a manifesto.
- She held a dissident viewpoint.
American English
- The dissident group published a manifesto.
- She held a dissenting viewpoint.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in discussions of corporate culture: 'The board tolerated no internal dissidence.'
Academic
Common in political science, history, sociology: 'The study examines the roots of artistic dissidence under the regime.'
Everyday
Very rare. Would be replaced by 'disagreement' or 'protest'.
Technical
Used in political and legal contexts to describe a specific category of oppositional activity.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dissidence”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dissidence”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dissidence”
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'He made a dissidence' – INCORRECT). It is uncountable.
- Confusing it with 'disidence' (no such word).
- Using it in informal contexts where 'disagreement' is more appropriate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Dissidence' is the state or philosophy of opposition, often intellectual or principled. 'Protest' is a specific action demonstrating that opposition. Dissidence can exist without overt protest.
It is neutral in denotation but often carries a positive connotation from the perspective valuing freedom and critique, and a negative connotation from the perspective of authority seeking stability.
A 'dissident' typically opposes through intellectual, political, or non-violent means (writing, speaking, organising). A 'rebel' implies a willingness to use force or engage in active, often armed, rebellion.
No, it is an uncountable (mass) noun. You cannot say 'a dissidence' or 'three dissidences'. You refer to 'an act of dissidence' or 'a spirit of dissidence'.
The act or state of disagreeing with or opposing an established government, political system, or dominant opinion.
Dissidence is usually formal, academic, political in register.
Dissidence: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɪs.ɪ.dəns/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɪs.ə.dəns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A lone voice of dissidence”
- “To crush/smother dissidence”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of DISSIDENCE as DIS-SIDING. You are siding *against* the established side.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISSIDENCE IS A VOICE (a voice of dissidence), DISSIDENCE IS A SEED (seeds of dissidence), DISSIDENCE IS A FIRE (to spark dissidence).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'dissidence' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?