Definition of resistancenext
1
as in opposition
the inclination to resist after some initial resistance, the city council warmed up to the proposed development plan

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2
as in underground
a secret organization in a conquered country fighting against enemy forces soldiers from the resistance were captured after a skirmish outside the foreign ministry

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of resistance Recognizing the difference between fantasy and reality is a form of practicing fear management – which strengthens resilience and resistance. — Liz Rosenberg, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2026 Mahershala Ali leads the resistance against the malevolent powers that be as a rebel bandit. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2026 Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite service has played a pivotal role in supporting Ukraine’s successful resistance to Russia’s full-scale invasion for years. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026 They were not thrilled that women were allowed on campus, so there was this resistance to enforcing Title IX to becoming more gender equitable. — Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for resistance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for resistance
Noun
  • In communities where multiple developers have invoked 8-30g despite community opposition, some Democratic candidates don’t follow the party leadership’s line.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
  • My answer is that opposition and engagement are not mutually exclusive.
    — Raymond C. Pierce, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Storing heat underground uses the same principle, though in reverse.
    — Moones Alamooti, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Most Read Reviews Appropriately enough for two musicians working at the cutting edge of this underground, Bowery Electric’s Martha Schwendener and Lawrence Chandler met while working at pre-fab master Andy Warhol’s Interview magazine.
    — Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 4 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The City Council voted it down, and the mayor's opponents passed an alternate budget plan over his objections.
    — Chris Tye, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Ignoring those objections would mean losing the exemption, Martin said.
    — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Resistance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resistance. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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