resisted; resisting; resists
: to exert force in opposition
1
: to exert oneself so as to counteract or defeat
he resisted temptation
2
: to withstand the force or effect of
material that resists heat
often attributive
: something (such as a coating) that protects against a chemical, electrical, or physical action
Examples of resist in a Sentence
Verb
He was charged with resisting arrest.
These windows can resist very high winds.
The drug will help your body resist infection.
She couldn't resist telling us what she'd heard.
He was able to resist the urge to tell her his secret.
It was hard resisting the temptation to open the box.
The offer was hard to resist.
I know I shouldn't have any more cake, but I can't resist.
Recent Examples on the Web
Mustafa Salim, Washington Post, 14 Apr. 2024
In Amsterdam, in particular, Mäkelä will face an orchestra with a history of souring on its music directors and resisting change.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Tensions with the Philippines have been running high since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., came into power in 2022 and adopted a more muscular foreign policy, which included resisting China’s vast claims to waters near its shores.
—Olivia Wang, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Contreras is charged with robbery, burglary, carjacking, vehicle theft, committing vehicle theft as a repeat offender, evading police and resisting police.
—Cameron MacDonald, The Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2024
But, Reed resists rolling down other windows, unlocking his doors and the situation escalates.
—Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024
Worcester, 28, of Goose Creek, S.C., was charged with first-degree terroristic threatening, second-degree battery, resisting arrest, possessing instrument of crime, obstructing governmental operations and disorderly conduct in connection with the incident on Aug. 21, 2022.
—Sadie Lacicero, arkansasonline.com, 10 Apr. 2024
This change in attitude explains Moscow’s desire to step up military and technological cooperation with Beijing, as does China’s growing leverage in the bilateral relationship—Russia is having a hard time resisting China’s requests to share sensitive technology.
—Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2024
Darling, in a delicious early scene, tries to resist entreaties to join the developing women’s-rights movement.
—Mayukh Sen, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2024
Verb
For months, Israel has resisted pressure from Western allies to allow more humanitarian aid into the enclave.
—Mustafa Salim, Washington Post, 14 Apr. 2024
In Amsterdam, in particular, Mäkelä will face an orchestra with a history of souring on its music directors and resisting change.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Tensions with the Philippines have been running high since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., came into power in 2022 and adopted a more muscular foreign policy, which included resisting China’s vast claims to waters near its shores.
—Olivia Wang, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Contreras is charged with robbery, burglary, carjacking, vehicle theft, committing vehicle theft as a repeat offender, evading police and resisting police.
—Cameron MacDonald, The Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2024
But, Reed resists rolling down other windows, unlocking his doors and the situation escalates.
—Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024
Worcester, 28, of Goose Creek, S.C., was charged with first-degree terroristic threatening, second-degree battery, resisting arrest, possessing instrument of crime, obstructing governmental operations and disorderly conduct in connection with the incident on Aug. 21, 2022.
—Sadie Lacicero, arkansasonline.com, 10 Apr. 2024
This change in attitude explains Moscow’s desire to step up military and technological cooperation with Beijing, as does China’s growing leverage in the bilateral relationship—Russia is having a hard time resisting China’s requests to share sensitive technology.
—Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2024
Darling, in a delicious early scene, tries to resist entreaties to join the developing women’s-rights movement.
—Mayukh Sen, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'resist.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near resist
Cite this Entry
“Resist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resist. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
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