objection

A statement or reason showing that you disagree with something or do not want it to happen.

• I have no objection to your plan.
• She raised several objections during the meeting.
• What is your main objection to moving?

How to use it: objection to something (They raised an objection to the new plan.); objection to doing something (I have no objection to waiting here.)

Similar words: protest, complaint, reservation

Opposites: approval

Common phrases: raise an objection, strong objection, no objection

A lawyer’s formal protest that something said or done in court breaks the court’s rules.

• The judge overruled the objection.
• Her lawyer raised an objection to the question.
• Several objections interrupted the witness’s account.

How to use it: objection to something (The judge rejected the objection to the question.)

Similar words: protest

Common phrases: raise an objection, sustain an objection, overrule an objection, legal objection

The act of saying that you disagree with something or oppose it.

• The decision met with widespread objection.
• Her formal objection stopped the vote.
• They proceeded despite public objection to the project.

How to use it: objection to something (Public objection to the closure delayed the decision.)

Similar words: opposition, protest

Opposites: agreement

Common phrases: formal objection, public objection, last-minute objection

Used by a lawyer to say that a question or statement breaks the court’s rules.

• “Objection!” said the lawyer.
• “Objection, Your Honor! That question is unfair.”
• “Objection! The witness cannot know what he was thinking.”

Common phrases: objection your honor, objection leading question