protestations

/P R OW0 T EH0 S T EY1 SH AH0 N Z/
noun
  1. 1

    A formal solemn objection or other declaration

  2. 2

    A declaration in common-law pleading, by which the party interposes an oblique allegation or denial of some fact, protesting that it does or does not exist, and at the same time avoiding a direct affirmation or denial.

Source: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/protestation, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/protestations