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 the introduction of new technology

   to resist arrest

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

But the tough carbon-fluorine bonds in the compounds resist being torn apart, leading to expensive remediation schemes that rely on powerful chemicals and high temperatures and pressures.

From Science Magazine

Still, it is intended to signal that City Hall is standing with its large immigrant population in a deep blue city already well-known for resisting Trump.

From Los Angeles Times

And how could anyone resist letting go of pesky inhibitions with Herman’s empowering score filling up Pasadena Playhouse with pure effervescence.

From Los Angeles Times

Kennedy has elevated threats to the livelihoods of scientists who have resisted his brand of balderdash from the implicit to the explicit.

From Los Angeles Times

The Democratic Party will, naturally, be less able to block and resist his agenda too.

From BBC

Related Words

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