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 first circle of damage is the possibility that it will encourage more parents to resist immunizations for their children.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But the plan is highly controversial in the UK -- one of the few European countries without any ID card and where the idea has long been resisted -- and the main opposition parties are against it.

Read more on Barron's

The role of women in resisting Nazi rule was significant but often overlooked until recently.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Heaney was born with a subject he often resisted, and “Digging” turns away from violence to the civilizing necessity of work.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

How could Mom and Dad object to or, indeed, resist these old-fashioned almond-hazelnut cookies?

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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