protest
noun
US /ˈproʊ.test/
[ C or U ]
a strong complaint expressing disagreement, disapproval, or opposition
抗議；反對
Protests have been made/registered by many people who would be affected by the proposed changes.
許多將因擬議改變而受到影響的人舉行了抗議活動。
A formal protest was made by the German team about their disqualification from the relay final.
德國隊對他們被取消接力決賽資格一事提出了正式抗議。
Conservation groups have united in protest against the planned new road.
環境保育組織聯合起來，抗議計劃建造的新公路。
B2 [ C ]
an occasion when people show that they disagree with something by standing somewhere, shouting, carrying signs, etc.
抗議活動；抗議遊行
a public protest against the war
反戰的公開抗議活動
a peaceful/violent protest
和平／暴力的抗議活動
under protest
If something is done under protest, it is done unwillingly.
不情願地
I only went to the meeting under protest.
我去開會是心不甘情不願的。
更多範例
The authorities have put tanks on the streets to discourage any protest.
My letter of protest was just a drop in the ocean.
They believe only in peaceable, non-violent protest.
The lecturers joined the protest march to show solidarity with their students.
One member of the committee resigned in protest at the changes.
protest
verb [ I or T ]
UK /prəˈtest/ US /proʊˈtest/
B2
to show that you disagree with something by standing somewhere, shouting, carrying signs, etc.
抗議；反對
A big crowd of demonstrators were protesting against cuts in health spending.
一大群示威者在抗議縮減醫療保健費用。
especially US Outside, a group of students were protesting research cuts.
外面有一群學生在抗議縮減研究經費。
B2
to say something forcefully or complain about something
聲言，斷言；控訴；抗議
Lots of people protested about the new working hours.
許多人對新的工作時間表示抗議。
They protested bitterly to their employers, but to no avail.
他們向老闆表達強烈抗議，但一點用也沒有。
[ + that ] A young girl was crying, protesting that she didn't want to leave her mother.
一個小女孩哭鬧著，不想跟媽媽分開。
All through the trial he protested his innocence (= strongly said he was not guilty).
在整個審判期間，他都堅持自己是清白的。
更多範例
We protested about the changes for a long time, but in the end we had to submit.
Demonstrators protested angrily following the jury's verdict.
"But I can't go to the dance without an escort, " she protested.
Students and workers were out on the streets protesting against the cuts.
The students are holding a demonstration to protest against the increase in their fees.
desist
verb [ I ] formal
US /dɪˈsɪst/
to stop doing something, especially something that someone else does not want you to do
停止，中止（他人不希望發生的事）
The soldiers have been ordered to desist from firing their guns.
士兵們已接到命令停止射擊。
The high winds are expected to desist tomorrow.
大風預計將於明天停止。
英文halt、pause和stop都有「停止」的意思，但三者的意思實有分別，不太能交換使用。Halt一字指「正在進行中的動作中止」，語氣較為正式。例如，網球巡迴賽本來已經進行了幾場賽事，卻需要暫停，便可以用halt一字描述——The tennis tour is put on a halt until an indefinite period.（網球巡迴賽被無限期暫停。）又例如，電影拍攝受阻——The filming of the movie has been put on a halt due to the coronavirus outbreak.（由於新冠肺炎的爆發，電影拍攝暫停了。）
Pause所指的「暫停」則意味動作還會繼續。例如，Could you pause the video here for me？（你可以幫我在這裏暫停一下影片嗎﹖）There will be a brief pause during the ceremony.（典禮期間將稍作暫停。
Stop的意思最籠統，是三者中最常用。Stop可以指停止某動作、事情、習慣，又或者機器停止運作。例如，Many companies have stopped hiring.（許多公司已停止招聘。）My rice cooker stopped working last week.（我的電飯煲上星期壞了。）
despite
preposition
US /dɪˈspaɪt/
B1
without taking any notice of or being influenced by; not prevented by
不管；儘管；無論怎樣 無論如何
I still enjoyed the week despite the weather.
儘管天氣不好，這一周我過得還是很愉快的。
Despite repeated assurances that the product is safe, many people have stopped buying it.
儘管已反覆保證了該產品的安全性，很多人還是不再購買。
[ + -ing verb ] He managed to eat a big lunch despite having eaten an enormous breakfast.
儘管早餐吃了很多，他午飯還是大吃了一頓。
despite yourself
If you do something despite yourself, you do it although you do not want to or although you know you should not.
不由自主地，忍不住地
He laughed despite himself.
他忍不住笑了起來。
She took the money from her mother's purse, despite herself.
她忍不住從母親的銀包裡拿了錢。
更多範例
Trains are still running, despite the snow.
The pop festival passed off peacefully, despite the fears of local residents.
The overall situation is good, despite a few minor problems.
He was able to lead a normal life, despite the illness.
She manages to stay cheerful despite everything.
realistically
adverb
UK /ˌrɪəˈlɪs.tɪ.kəl.i/ US /ˌriː.əˈlɪs.tɪ.kəl.i/
C2
according to the facts and what is possible
現實地；實事求是地
Realistically speaking, he hadn't a hope, but that didn't stop him trying.
實事求是地說，他毫無希望，但是這並沒有讓他放棄努力。
C1
in a way that seems as if it exists
逼真地；栩栩如生地
He was made up very realistically to look like an old woman.
他化了妝，看上去真的像個老太婆。
