resist

1 of 2

verb

re·​sist ri-ˈzist 

resisted; resisting; resists

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to exert force in opposition

I know I shouldn't, but I can't resist.

resist

2 of 2

noun

often attributive

: something (such as a coating) that protects against a chemical, electrical, or physical action

Synonyms of resist

Verb

• oppose
• withstand
• fight

Choose the Right Synonym for resist

oppose, combat, resist, withstand mean to set oneself against someone or something.

oppose can apply to any conflict, from mere objection to bitter hostility or warfare.

opposed the plan

combat stresses the forceful or urgent countering of something.

combat disease

resist implies an overt recognition of a hostile or threatening force and a positive effort to counteract or repel it.

resisting temptation

withstand suggests a more passive resistance.

trying to withstand peer pressure

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

Verb

The researchers also focused on reducing the robot’s effective inertia, a property that describes how strongly an object resists changes in its motion. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026

Ukraine's Eastern European neighbors such as Poland and Romania are resisting a push to allow grain to transit through them — even temporarily — due to concerns about a glut destroying demand for their own crops. — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026

The let’s-put-on-a-show energy and enthusiasm on display in its pages is hard to resist. — Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026

However, experts on military law said Hasan could choose to resist execution and file a habeas petition in civilian court, which could significantly delay the execution. — Konstantin Toropin, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French resister, from Latin resistere, from re- + sistere to take a stand; akin to Latin stare to stand — more at stand

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1815, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for resist

• assist
• blacklist
• booklist
• checklist
• consist
• desist
• dismissed
• enlist
• exist
• insist
• oocyst
• persist

Kids Definition

resist

verb

re·​sist

ri-ˈzist

1

: to fight against : oppose

resist temptation

2

: to withstand the force or effect of

material that resists water