insulin resistance

noun

: reduced sensitivity to insulin by the body's insulin-dependent processes (such as glucose uptake and lipolysis) that is typical of type 2 diabetes but often occurs in the absence of diabetes

Examples of insulin resistance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This can calm down blood sugar and insulin spikes, which are both major drivers of insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction. —Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 13 Apr. 2026

Fasting insulin isn’t on standard panels but can flag insulin resistance years before A1C becomes abnormal. —Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Apr. 2026

For one project, Cohen tried to disrupt a protein associated with insulin resistance and diabetes. —Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026

Some researchers argue that PCOS should be considered a metabolic disease that impacts hormone levels, insulin resistance, and more. —Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 1 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for insulin resistance

• magnetoresistance
• assistance
• consistence
• desistance
• existence
• insistence
• persistence
• subsistence
• coexistence
• nonexistence
• distance

Medical Definition

insulin resistance

noun

: reduced sensitivity to insulin by the body's insulin-dependent processes (as glucose uptake, lipolysis, and inhibition of glucose production by the liver) that results in decreased activity of these processes or an increase in insulin production or both and that is typical of type 2 diabetes but often occurs in the absence of diabetes