resist
1 of 2verb
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 2noun
often attributive
: something (such as a coating) that protects against a chemical, electrical, or physical action
Synonyms
Verb
- buck
- defy
- fight
- oppose
- repel
- withstand
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 7 Sep. 2022 The idiosyncrasies of Sorokin’s fiction are not only a matter of style; his plots also often resist easy summary. Aaron Timms, The New Republic, 2 Sep. 2022 Of course, kids can't resist touching any kind of screen, ever, and who knows where those tiny fingers have been? Jon Langston And Collin Morgan, Car and Driver, 31 Aug. 2022 The island recently wrapped up its annual Han Kuang military exercises, meant to exercise military forces that would resist an invasion from the mainland. Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 3 Aug. 2022 The chemicals have been added to nonstick cookware, water-repellent clothing, stain-resistant fabrics and carpets, cosmetics, firefighting foams, food packaging and other products that resist grease, oil and water. Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 31 July 2022 The Popchose Waterproof Beach Blanket is the roomy, easy-to-use solution that'll resist all the elements for a relaxing beach day. Annie Burdick, PEOPLE.com, 20 July 2022 The Great Resignation has often been viewed through the lens of the white-collar workers that resist going into the office and job hop for higher salaries. Chloe Berger, Fortune, 7 July 2022 The woofer and passive radiator in the Passif 50 have cast aluminum baskets that resist flexing. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 1 July 2022 See More
Verb
Who could resist the episode in which three Nonnas (Italian grandmothers, for the uninitiated) create ridiculous pizza concoctions that originated on social media? Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 7 Sep. 2022 The idiosyncrasies of Sorokin’s fiction are not only a matter of style; his plots also often resist easy summary. Aaron Timms, The New Republic, 2 Sep. 2022 Of course, kids can't resist touching any kind of screen, ever, and who knows where those tiny fingers have been? Jon Langston And Collin Morgan, Car and Driver, 31 Aug. 2022 The island recently wrapped up its annual Han Kuang military exercises, meant to exercise military forces that would resist an invasion from the mainland. Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 3 Aug. 2022 The chemicals have been added to nonstick cookware, water-repellent clothing, stain-resistant fabrics and carpets, cosmetics, firefighting foams, food packaging and other products that resist grease, oil and water. Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 31 July 2022 The Popchose Waterproof Beach Blanket is the roomy, easy-to-use solution that'll resist all the elements for a relaxing beach day. Annie Burdick, PEOPLE.com, 20 July 2022 The Great Resignation has often been viewed through the lens of the white-collar workers that resist going into the office and job hop for higher salaries. Chloe Berger, Fortune, 7 July 2022 The woofer and passive radiator in the Passif 50 have cast aluminum baskets that resist flexing. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 1 July 2022 See More 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
Kids Definition
resist
verb
re·sist ri-ˈzist
resisted; resisting
1
: to fight against : oppose
Students resisted the war.
2
: to avoid doing or having something
I can't resist bragging.
Who can resist chocolate?
3
: to withstand the force or effect of
These plants resist disease.
resisting 1 of 2
adjective
as in resistant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- resistant
- opposing
- countering
- counteracting
- competing
- conflicting
- rebel
- defiant
- opposed
- against
- recalcitrant
- refractory
- averse
- rebellious
- contrary
- reluctant
- insubordinate
- contumacious
- intractable
- unwilling
- wayward
- obstreperous
- unruly
- willful
- loath
- hesitant
- balky
- ungovernable
- wilful
- relentless
- disinclined
- froward
- recusant
- incompliant
- untoward
- unrelenting
- unbending
- counter
- adverse
- unflinching
- hostile
- stern
- unfavorable
- disadvantageous
- negative
- inflexible
- inimical
- unfriendly
- prejudicial
- hard
- loth
- unsympathetic
- untoward
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- complying
- understanding
- tolerant
- unresistant
- positive
- sympathetic
- favorable
- supportive
- agreeable
- hospitable
- benign
- advantageous
- congenial
- friendly
- amiable
- cordial
- amicable
- affable
- friendly
- benignant
- well-disposed
resisting
2 of 2verb
as in opposing
to refuse to give in to it is important to resist the temptation to run away from your problems Synonyms & Similar Words
- opposing
- withstanding
- fighting
- repelling
- defying
- bucking
- combating
- thwarting
- countering
- combatting
- battling
- contesting
- balking
- challenging
- contradicting
- hindering
- obstructing
- foiling
- stemming
- disputing
- frustrating
- checking
- baffling
- contending (with)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- submitting (to)
- yielding (to)
- succumbing (to)
- surrendering (to)
- bowing (to)
- stooping (to)
- giving in (to)
- capitulating (to)
- knuckling under (to)