object#

object n

1 *thing, article

Analogous words: *affair, concern, matter, thing: *form, figure, shape, configuration

2 objective, goal, end, aim, design, purpose, *intention, intent

Analogous words: *motive, incentive, inducement

Contrasted words: result, *effect, consequence

object vb Object, protest, remonstrate, expostulate, kick mean to oppose something (as a course, a procedure, a policy, or a project) especially by making known one's arguments against it.

Object carries so strong an implication of dislike or aversion that it often is lacking in a clear or definite implication of vocal or other outward opposition, though frequently such a reaction is suggested

{

why do you always object to everything he wishes to do for you

}

{

there's nothing wrong with being painted in the nude; artists do it all the time. But our silly husbands have a way of objecting to that sort of thing— Dahl

}

Protest (see also ASSERT 1) implies strong opposition and usually the presentation of objections in speech or in writing against the thing to which one objects

{

the residents of the district unanimously protested against the granting of the license

}

{

swearing and protesting against every delay in the work— Anderson

}

{

she marched with the pickets, protesting atmospheric testing— Kleiner

}

Remonstrate implies protestation but it carries so much stronger an implication of an attempt to convince or persuade than protest carries that it is especially appropriate when the objection is to something being done by a child, a friend, or a relative, rather than by an official or an impersonal agent, or when reproof is also implied

{

now and then a well-meaning friend of Sir Austin's ventured to remonstrate on the dangerous trial he was making in modelling any new plan of education for a youth— Meredith

}

{

"Father Joseph," he remonstrated, "you will never be able to take all these things back to Denver"— Cat her

}

Expostulate differs little from remonstrate, but it usually carries a heightened implication of firm, earnest, but friendly reasoning or insistence on the merits of one's arguments

{

the priestly brotherhood . . . prompt to persuade, expostulate, and warn— Cowper

}

{

lost his temper when reporters at his press conference expostulated against playing favorites— New Republic

}

Kick implies strenuous protestation and, usually, an exhibition of recalcitrancy or defiance

{

wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering—7 Sam 2:29

}

{

when the tax rate was raised for the fourth successive year, everybody kicked

}

{

I kicked at that and said that Asquith might be limited but he was honest— Laski

}

Analogous words: *demur, balk, scruple, jib, boggle, shy, stick, stickle: *criticize, denounce, reprobate

Antonyms: acquiesce

Contrasted words: *assent, consent, agree, accede