resisted; resisting; resists
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
: to exert force in opposition
I know I shouldn't, but I can't resist.
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
Sacbee.com, 7 Mar. 2026
The film resists framing him as an emblem or argument.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 7 Mar. 2026
The result is eyewear that resists trends and rewards patience.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 7 Mar. 2026
Years of training, study, and planning, along with careful use of intelligence, have all contributed to the rapid elimination of much of Iran’s capacity to project power, and almost all of its ability to resist allied attacks.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for resist
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Verb
Officials and residents last year resisted a smaller-scale proposal by a developer looking to bring in drive-thrus and a Home Depot.
—Sacbee.com, 7 Mar. 2026
The film resists framing him as an emblem or argument.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 7 Mar. 2026
The result is eyewear that resists trends and rewards patience.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 7 Mar. 2026
Years of training, study, and planning, along with careful use of intelligence, have all contributed to the rapid elimination of much of Iran’s capacity to project power, and almost all of its ability to resist allied attacks.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for resist
Cite this Entry
“Resist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resist. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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