resist

American  

[ri-zist] / rɪˈzɪst /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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 ))

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noun

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

Related Words

See oppose.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of resist

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

Example Sentences

This means resisting the urge to take a phone call on a walk, listen to a podcast in the car or otherwise multitask while doing simple things.

From The Wall Street Journal

Schenk resisted the big-ticket items, but did purchase holiday mugs using the QR code on a card in the living room.

From The Wall Street Journal

Investors should also resist the temptation to add “alternative” private investments to their portfolios.

From The Wall Street Journal

I don’t know if that’s good or bad, but I resist it when someone says, ‘Oh, I’m sure things are different now.’

From Los Angeles Times

But when Amy Madigan’s deliciously wicked villain, Aunt Gladys, finally appeared in her blunt wig with lipstick smeared all over her teeth, even I couldn’t resist offering up some guffaws of my own.

From Salon

Related Words

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