resist

American  

[ri-zist] / rɪˈzɪst /

verb (used with object)

• resists,
  present (3rd person singular)
• resisted,
  past participle,  past
• resisting
  present participle

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)

• resists,
  present (3rd person singular)
• resisted,
  past participle,  past
• resisting
  present participle

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

Synonym Usage

See oppose.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Participles

• resisting
  present
• resisted
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• resist
  simple
• resists
  simple
• have resisted
  perfect
• has resisted
  perfect
• am resisting
  progressive
• are resisting
  progressive
• is resisting
  progressive
• have been resisting
  perfect progressive
• has been resisting
  perfect progressive

Past

• resisted
  simple
• had resisted
  perfect
• was resisting
  progressive
• were resisting
  progressive
• had been resisting
  perfect progressive

Future

• will resist
  simple
• will have resisted
  perfect
• will be resisting
  progressive
• will have been resisting
  perfect progressive

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”; see origin at re-, stand

Explanation

To resist something is to keep it at bay or to fend off its influence or advance. You might not be able to resist the temptation to sneak out to the dance in spite of your parents' objections. The verb resist comes from the Latin word resistere, meaning “to take a stand,” or “withstand.” People who are able to put up a wall — be it mental, physical, philosophical, emotional, or otherwise — to defend themselves or their group against a threat can be said to resist. The Amish community is still able to resist the influence of technology. Many a child will resist the suggestion to use a napkin. You might resist a second helping of pie.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

resist resists resisted resisting

Microsoft on Monday published a “humanist” code of conduct to show its commitment to ensuring Microsoft’s models “will never resist human interruption, correction, or shutdown.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2026

However, after getting the script again years later, he could not resist the work of writer Paul Mayhew-Archer, who suffers from the condition himself.

From Barron's ● Sep. 14, 2026

Rather it was the suggestion that the unique safeguards Amodei built to resist market pressures at Anthropic are failing.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 13, 2026

We can’t resist a pretty confection, no matter how bad for us it might be.

From Salon ● Sep. 12, 2026

Likewise, her stern instruction now was unlikely to help him resist the chickens.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

Eve resists scream-queen clichés, but Gemma’s boringly typical tortured backstory is as flat as her wan chemistry with Nick.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026

Writing is thinking made visible: The sentence that resists you does so because the thought inside it is unfinished.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026

Roberts’ opinion for the court, despite being well-written and legally correct, resists critiquing the original order with the forcefulness this issue deserves.

From Slate ● Aug. 11, 2026

The goal: to build digital ecosystems that ensure Europe retains control over services and data, and resists foreign interference.

From Barron's ● Jun. 3, 2026

I can tell he wants to make fun of me, but he resists.

From "The Sun Is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon

It was the second flashpoint between the Ferrari drivers in two races, after an argument over the radio during the Dutch Grand Prix when Leclerc resisted a request to move aside for Hamilton.

From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026

And even as their executives warn of world-ending risks, A.I. companies have broadly resisted regulation.

From Slate ● Sep. 9, 2026

When the agent resisted, a superior told him to comply.

From Salon ● Sep. 5, 2026

The bills received a key endorsement from CSU, which has resisted past efforts out of concern that far less costly community college degrees could siphon students from its campuses.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2026

Annabeth was tempted to shout back at the voice, but she resisted.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

The entire Crace clan is resisting Susan’s nosing about, imperiling the brand and jeopardizing the Netflix deal.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026

He takes the long view of Afghanistan's history of resisting foreign invaders.

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

According to the watchdog group, officers sought charges against Ludwig even after they realized the mistake, booking him on charges of reckless driving and resisting arrest.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026

The bottom line: Give Cook credit for resisting the many calls over the last 15 years to respond to the latest fashion on Wall Street.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 2, 2026

Kaz nodded and slipped down a hallway behind a potted rose tree, resisting the urge to bury his nose in his collar.

From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo

Related Words

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