Dissented

Dissented is the simple past tense and past participle of the verb dissent, meaning to withhold agreement or to express disagreement with a prevailing view, decision, or policy. The term comes from the Latin dissentire, through Old French and into English, and it is commonly used to describe expressing disagreement in writing or speech.

In legal contexts, to dissent is to disagree with the majority opinion of a court. A judge may write a dissenting opinion outlining reasons and legal authorities supporting an alternative view. A dissented opinion is not legally binding, but it can influence future cases, be cited as persuasive authority, or highlight concerns about the majority's reasoning.

Outside the courtroom, dissented can describe disagreement with decisions by legislative bodies, corporate boards, or other authorities. Typical constructions include “dissented from” or “dissent from,” as in “the judge dissented from the majority ruling” or “she dissented from the committee’s recommendation.”

Related terms include dissent, dissenter, and dissenting. The act of dissent emphasizes disagreement within a deliberative process rather than outright opposition to reform, and it can serve to refine arguments, raise alternative viewpoints, or ensure that minority concerns receive consideration.