Dictionary.com

resist

[ ri-zist ]
/ rɪˈzɪst /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: resist / resisted / resisting / resists on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object)
to withstand, strive against, or oppose: to resist infection; to resist temptation.
to withstand the action or effect of: to resist spoilage.
to refrain or abstain from, especially with difficulty or reluctance: They couldn't resist the chocolates.
verb (used without object)
to make a stand or make efforts in opposition; act in opposition; offer resistance.
noun
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.
Textiles. a chemically inert substance used in resist printing.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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”; see origin at re-, stand

synonym study for resist

1. See oppose.

OTHER WORDS FROM resist

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH resist

resister , resistor
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to resist

abide, combat, confront, continue, curb, defy, endure, forgo, maintain, prevent, refuse, repel, thwart, turn down, antagonize, assail, assault, battle, bear, brook

How to use resist in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for resist

resist
/ (rɪˈzɪst) /
verb
to stand firm (against); not yield (to); fight (against)
(tr) to withstand the deleterious action of; be proof againstto resist corrosion
(tr) to oppose; refuse to accept or comply withto resist arrest; to resist the introduction of new technology
(tr) to refrain from, esp in spite of temptation (esp in the phrases cannot or could not resist (something))
noun
a substance used to protect something, esp a coating that prevents corrosion

Derived forms of resist

resister, nounresistible, adjectiveresistibility, nounresistibly, adverb

Word Origin for resist

C14: from Latin resistere to stand still, oppose, from re- + sistere to stand firm
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK