resist

[ri-zist]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR resist 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.

Origin of resist

1325–75; Middle English resisten (v.) < Latin resistere to remain standing, equivalent to re- re- + sistere to cause to stand, akin to stāre to stand

Related formsre·sist·er, nounre·sist·ing·ly, adverbin·ter·re·sist, verbnon·re·sist·ing, adjectiveo·ver·re·sist, verbqua·si-re·sist·ed, adjectiveun·re·sist·ed, adjectiveun·re·sist·ing, adjective

Can be confusedresister resistor

Synonyms for resist

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR resist ON THESAURUS.COM

1. confront, counteract, rebuff. See oppose.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for resisting

opposing, contrary, defiant, disobedient, rebellious, renitent, resistive, unyielding

Examples from the Web for resisting

Contemporary Examples of resisting

But after resisting Eddie, Frank makes his visit, and the dying man confesses a disturbing secret from decades ago.
Richard Ford’s Artful Survivalist Guide: The Return of Frank Bascombe
Tom LeClair
November 4, 2014
At least for now, Modern Family is taking the less-is-more approach, and resisting turning it into The Lily Show.
Stop Hating on ‘Modern Family’ (But Also Stop Giving It Emmys)
Jason Lynch
October 15, 2014
“Transferred blood to my uniform while Davis was resisting,” the cop said.
The Day Ferguson Cops Were Caught in a Bloody Lie
Michael Daly
August 15, 2014
Recently another woman was shot dead for resisting rape in Meghalaya.
How India’s Elites Encourage Rape
Neha Sharma
July 15, 2014
The scapegoat is invariably an outsider, existing at the margins of a community, and resisting its core values.
Why Do We Hate Hipsters So F'ing Much?
Ted Gioia
July 13, 2014

Historical Examples of resisting

There was no resisting that prayer, it seemed so like the last.
Night and Morning, Complete
Edward Bulwer-Lytton
It was like resisting a dumb spirit and forcing the words from my lips.
Ranald Bannerman's Boyhood
George MacDonald
Carr hesitated, resisting the impulse to take Mado at his word.
Astounding Stories of Super-Science, November, 1930
Various
Gently he tried to pry their resisting hands away from hers.
Now We Are Three
Joe L. Hensley
You will scarcely think of resisting a king's officer in British waters!
Homeward Bound
James Fenimore Cooper

British Dictionary definitions for resisting

resist

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 Formsresister, 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

Word Origin and History for resisting

resist

late 14c., from Old French resister "hold out against" (14c.), from Latin resistere "to make a stand against, oppose; to stand back; withstand," from re- "against" (see re-) + sistere "take a stand, stand firm" (see assist). Related: Resisted; resisting.