resist

1 of 2

verb

re·​sist ri-ˈzist How to pronounce resist (audio)
resisted; resisting; resists
Synonyms of resist

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

intransitive verb

: to exert force in opposition
I know I shouldn't, but I can't resist.

resist

2 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms of resist

Relevance

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
State prosecutor María Elena Andrade alleged that the attackers wanted to steal the tires from the foreigners’ pickup truck and that the victims resisted. — Fabiola Sánchez, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026 When a genuine problem arises, said Ryan Jane Jacoby, a clinical psychologist and researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital, resist the urge to eliminate every unknown. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026 And strength to resist reducing complex human challenges to slogans, enemies, or simple answers. — Halla Tómasdóttir, Time, 16 Oct. 2026 The new generation of therapeutic peptides is chemically modified to resist breakdown in the gastrointestinal tract, where traditional peptide drugs degrade before they can be absorbed. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for resist

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

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

Rhymes for resist

See All Rhymes for resist

Browse Nearby Words

resipiscence
resist
resistance
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Resist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resist. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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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
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