resist

1 of 2

verb

re·​sist ri-ˈzist 

resisted; resisting; resists

intransitive verb

: to exert force in opposition

transitive verb

1

: to exert oneself so as to counteract or defeat

he resisted temptation

2

: to withstand the force or effect of

material that resists heat

resist

2 of 2

noun

often attributive

: something (such as a coating) that protects against a chemical, electrical, or physical action

Synonyms

Verb

• buck
• defy
• fight
• oppose
• repel
• withstand

Choose the Right Synonym for resist

oppose, combat, resist, withstand mean to set oneself against someone or something.

oppose can apply to any conflict, from mere objection to bitter hostility or warfare.

opposed the plan

combat stresses the forceful or urgent countering of something.

combat disease

resist implies an overt recognition of a hostile or threatening force and a positive effort to counteract or repel it.

resisting temptation

withstand suggests a more passive resistance.

trying to withstand peer pressure

Examples of resist in a Sentence

Verb

He was charged with resisting arrest.

These windows can resist very high winds.

The drug will help your body resist infection.

She couldn't resist telling us what she'd heard.

He was able to resist the urge to tell her his secret.

It was hard resisting the temptation to open the box.

The offer was hard to resist.

I know I shouldn't have any more cake, but I can't resist.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

California’s choice to resist potential policies that are threatening to its citizens is very necessary. —Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024

Key Background Biden dropped out of the race on July 21 after resisting calls from within his own party for weeks to end his reelection bid in the wake of his disastrous performance in the June 27 debate. —Sara Dorn, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

The former can’t resist the allure of a tobacco and vaping tax, while the latter has fallen back in love with look, sensations and aesthetics of smoking. —Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 5 Nov. 2024

Space travel is an itch that the United States, under any president, seems unable to resist scratching. —Marina Koren, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French resister, from Latin resistere, from re- + sistere to take a stand; akin to Latin stare to stand — more at stand

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1815, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

resist

verb

re·​sist

ri-ˈzist

1

: to fight against : oppose

resist temptation

2

: to withstand the force or effect of

material that resists water