resist

1 of 2

verb

re·​sist ri-ˈzist How to pronounce resist (audio)
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
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
She’s charged with resisting an officer with violence and battery on a police officer. Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 And at under $300, who could resist a shoe that plays double duty in their closet? Laura Jackson, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2024 That did not assuage the staffers at the Daily resisting the story. David Folkenflik, NPR, 6 Mar. 2024 Po, who’s preoccupied with starting his own noodle restaurant, resists at first, but ultimately complies with the directive that also requires him to find and train his successor. Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2024 Newsom has resisted calls from district attorneys, mayors and police chiefs to modify Prop. 47, as have many voters, as reflected in the 2020 rejection of a previous initiative to alter Prop. 47. Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2024 The rug is available in seven sizes and resists mold, mildew, and fading. Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024 These NFTs seem to have resisted the switch, and the collections remain popular in their original states. Nikita Sachdev, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 The 36-year-old man faces five felony charges including evading police, resisting arrest and two counts related to illegally having a firearm. Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 26 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'resist.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

1836, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of resist was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near resist

Cite this Entry

“Resist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resist. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on resist

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