objected

Objected is the simple past tense and past participle of the verb object. It denotes the act of expressing opposition, disagreement, or disapproval, typically in a formal, procedural, or argument-driven context. The phrase object to is the common construction when specifying what is opposed, as in “they objected to the proposal.”

Grammatical notes on usage: The standard pattern is object to followed by the thing being opposed. For example, one might say, “The committee objected to the plan,” or “The witnesses objected to the line of questioning.” In more formal or legal writing, objections may be recorded or argued during proceedings, and the past tense objected is used to describe actions that occurred earlier, such as “The defense objected to the evidence.”

Contexts and registers: Objecting appears across many settings, including debates, meetings, administrative proceedings, and courtroom procedures. In judicial contexts, attorneys raise objections to questions, rulings, or evidence, and a judge may sustain or overrule the objection. In civic discourse, residents, organizations, or officials may object to policies, zoning changes, or regulatory measures. The term often implies a formal or documented expression of dissent, rather than a casual disagreement.

Etymology and related terms: Objected derives from the verb object, which itself comes from Latin objectus, from ob- (against) and jacere (to throw). Related words include objection (a formal protest or opposition) and objectionable (worthy of disapproval). The sense of “throwing against” persists in figurative uses indicating opposition to an idea or action.

See also: object (verb), objection, objectionable, objection procedure, protest.