resistverb
uk/rɪˈzɪst/us/rɪˈzɪst/C1 [ I or T ] to fight against something or someone that is attacking you:
The soldiers resisted (the enemy attacks) for two days.
[ T ] to refuse to accept or be changed by something:
The party leader resisted demands for his resignation.
He tried to run away from the police and was charged with resisting arrest.
The new hybrid crops are much better at resisting disease.
B2 [ T ] to stop yourself from doing something that you want to do:
I can never resist temptation/chocolate/the urge to laugh.
[ + -ing verb ] She couldn't resist laughing at him in those clothes.
More examples
- He couldn't resist embellishing the story of his accident a little.
- The town had been besieged for two months but still resisted the aggressors.
- They are bravely resisting subjugation by their more powerful neighbours.
- General Rattigan summoned reinforcements to help resist the attack.
- He usually resists attempts to introduce new procedures.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Responding to an attack
- beat
- beat sb off
- beat sb/sth back
- capitulate
- counterattack
- fend sb off
- fight
- fight back
- fight fire with fire idiom
- parry
- pull (sb/sth) out
- repel
- repulse
- resistance
- resistance
- retreat
- see sb off
- stand up to sb/sth
- strike
- withdrawal
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Refusing & rejecting