resist

[ri-zist]

verb (used with object)

1. to withstand, strive against, or oppose.

   to resist infection; to resist temptation.

   Synonyms: rebuff, counteract, confront

2. to withstand the action or effect of.

   to resist spoilage.

3. to refrain or abstain from, especially with difficulty or reluctance.

   They couldn't resist the chocolates.

verb (used without object)

1. to make a stand or make efforts in opposition; act in opposition; offer resistance.

noun

1. a substance that prevents or inhibits some effect from taking place, as a coating on a surface of a metallic printing plate that prevents or inhibits corrosion of the metal by acid.

2. Textiles.,  a chemically inert substance used in resist printing.

resist

/ rɪˈzɪst /

verb

1. to stand firm (against); not yield (to); fight (against)

2. (tr) to withstand the deleterious action of; be proof against

   to resist corrosion

3. (tr) to oppose; refuse to accept or comply with

   to resist arrest

   to resist the introduction of new technology

4. (tr) to refrain from, esp in spite of temptation (esp in the phrases cannot or could not resist ( something ))

noun

1. a substance used to protect something, esp a coating that prevents corrosion

Other Word Forms

• resister noun
• resistingly adverb
• interresist verb
• nonresisting adjective
• overresist verb
• quasi-resisted adjective
• unresisted adjective
• unresisting adjective
• resistible adjective
• resistibly adverb
• resistibility noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of resist¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English resisten (verb), from Latin resistere “to remain standing,” equivalent to re- “again, back” + sistere “to cause to stand,” akin to stāre “to stand”; re-, stand

Word History and Origins

Origin of resist¹

C14: from Latin resistere to stand still, oppose, from _re- + sistere to stand firm

Synonym Study

See oppose.

Example Sentences

The next crackdown could find other local affiliates less willing to resist the pressure to mute dissent.

From Salon

Everything circles back to our truthstorian’s amiability and natural charm that even those who know better find impossible to resist.

From Salon

And when it comes time to serve, resist the beige-on-beige plate.

From Salon

And, of course, the Texas native couldn’t resist devoting an entire shelf above the kitchen door to classics like “Friday Night Lights,” “Clerks,” “Dazed and Confused,” “Paris, Texas” and “Tender Mercies.”

From Los Angeles Times

He added the driver was "restrained and subsequently arrested on suspicion of a number of driving-related offences, as well as assault on police and resisting police".

From BBC

Related Words

• abide 
• combat 
• confront 
• continue 
• curb 
• defy 
• endure 
• forgo 
• maintain 
• prevent 
• refuse 
• repel 
• thwart 
• turn down