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

Diabetes and insulin resistance are serious risk factors for PCOS. —Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 3 Mar. 2026

In type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance (when the body doesn’t properly use insulin) causes high blood sugar. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 27 Feb. 2026

Chronic overconsumption and inactivity lead to excess body fat (especially in the abdominal region), resulting in insulin resistance, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol and early kidney dysfunction. —Jia Shen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026

Eventually, this can contribute to unstable blood sugar levels, potentially leading to blood sugar issues like insulin resistance or diabetes, says Ehsani. —Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 25 Feb. 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