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

Aparicio resists drawing conclusions, privileging an experiential approach with its own rhythms, ambitious in scope yet intimate in focus, that could well become an arthouse sleeper. — Jay Weissberg, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026

But parties tend to resist arrangements designed by others, and when they are pressured into accepting them, their adherence lasts only as long as the pressure is sustained. — Matt Waldman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2026

The tough-talking lawman said the 380-volt stun gloves would give Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents a useful tool to subdue detainees or protesters that resist their actions without opening fire on them. — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026

Habib, who joined the department in 2007, was responding to a 911 call at a Bronx catering hall in 2023 when a drunk and disorderly man resisted arrest, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark said. — ABC News, 13 Aug. 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