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.

---

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 ))

---

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

But investors should resist assuming a straight-line recovery.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

But I try to resist the pressure because I think it’s the right way to tell the story.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

Snow flies do not just resist freezing, they also generate their own heat.

From Science Daily • Mar. 26, 2026

Their attacking intent started to overwhelm Arsenal, the pressure became impossible to resist.

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

The farms were teeming with robot workers, and Roz couldn’t resist spying on them as she carefully slunk past.

From "The Wild Robot Escapes" by Peter Brown

Related Words

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