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

Derived Forms

• reˈsistible, adjective
• reˈsistibly, adverb
• reˈsister, noun
• reˌsistiˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• re·sister noun
• re·sisting·ly adverb
• inter·re·sist verb
• nonre·sisting adjective
• over·re·sist verb
• quasi-re·sisted adjective
• unre·sisted adjective
• unre·sisting adjective

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

I need to resist my urge to talk them into my truth, just so I can feel more comfortable and secure.

From The Daily Beast

They are made in a social setting, surrounded by lots of other people with various ways to resist bad decisions.

From The Daily Beast

The left had long tried to resist it through a diverse mix of organizations, devoted to different goals, and all to no avail.

From The Daily Beast

The papers report that J.W. was too afraid to resist his command for her to perform oral sex on him.

From The Daily Beast

After all, some officeholders still resist needed changes, even as others link arms for reform.

From The Daily Beast

Your sacrifice shall be the agony of agonies, the death of deaths, and yet you'll find yourself unable to resist.

From Project Gutenberg

But this paper was a very tough, fibrous substance, and would resist quite a heavy blow as well as keep out the cold.

From Project Gutenberg

And after that Grandfather Mole couldn't resist burrowing in the loose earth now and then.

From Project Gutenberg

Thy nakedness shall be discovered, and thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and no man shall resist me.

From Project Gutenberg

Eloquent in speech, warm-hearted and impulsive, he found it difficult to resist a joke, even at the expense of his friend.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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