resort

1 of 3

noun

re·​sort ri-ˈzȯrt 

1

a

: one that affords aid or refuge : resource

went to them as a last/final resort

b

: recourse sense 1a

—often used with to

The police hope to end the standoff without resort to force.

2

a

: frequent, habitual, or general visiting

a place of popular resort

b

: persons who frequent a place : throng

c(1)

: a frequently visited place : haunt

(2)

: a place designed to provide recreation, entertainment, and accommodation especially to vacationers : a community or establishment whose purpose or main industry is catering to vacationers

resort

2 of 3

verb (1)

resorted; resorting; resorts

intransitive verb

1

: to go especially frequently or habitually : repair

2

: to have recourse

resolve the crisis without resorting to violence

re-sort

3 of 3

verb (2)

(ˌ)rē-ˈsȯrt 

re-sorted; re-sorting; re-sorts

transitive verb

: to sort again

Synonyms of resort

Noun

• haunt

Verb (1)

• go (to)
• consult
• turn (to)
• refer (to)

Choose the Right Synonym for resort

resource, resort, expedient, shift, makeshift, stopgap mean something one turns to in the absence of the usual means or source of supply.

resource and resort apply to anything one falls back upon.

exhausted all of their resources

a last resort

expedient may apply to any device or contrivance used when the usual one is not at hand or not possible.

a flimsy expedient

shift implies a tentative or temporary imperfect expedient.

desperate shifts to stave off foreclosure

makeshift implies an inferior expedient adopted because of urgent need or allowed through indifference.

old equipment employed as a makeshift

stopgap applies to something used temporarily as an emergency measure.

a new law intended only as a stopgap

Examples of resort in a Sentence

Noun

Our first resort was to go to the police.

the island port was once the resort of smugglers, pirates, and other unsavory characters

Verb (1)

unable to achieve their ends politically, some of the opposition groups have begun to resort to violence

resorted to the library whenever he felt the need for a little peace and quiet

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

While the modern beach retreat resides in one of Mexico’s most popular resort towns, SLS Cancun never feels crowded — the hotel only offers 45 luxurious, stylish suites by Italian architect and designer Piero Lissoni. — Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

In addition to the aforementioned football field, the resort-like grounds also host a pool with a spa and a waterfall, along with a pizza oven, a game pavilion with a candy bar, and a sports court for tennis, basketball, and pickleball. — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 17 July 2026

Verb

Eight Forest Service rangers have been paddling across the BWCA to issue evacuation orders, and have also enlisted local officials, outfitters, and resort owners to assist in evacuations. — Kris Millgate, Outdoor Life, 16 July 2026

Grand Cay is being positioned as part of Samaná’s next chapter, but its most meaningful promise is not only luxury golf or resort living. — Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026

Verb

Putting even a small piece of trash in the recycling stream or non-compostable items in the compost bin can require additional effort to re-sort at processing facilities, which increases costs and energy usage, or contaminates the entire process altogether, ultimately creating more trash. — Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 4 Apr. 2026

Pandemic assistance from the government helped level the playing field for a time, but by 2024, mounting inflation pressures and elevated interest rates had begun to re-sort consumers according to their ability to withstand financial stress. — Rob Wile, NBC news, 2 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, return, source of aid, from Anglo-French, from resortir to rebound, resort, from re- + Old French sortir to go out, leave

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1836, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing resort

• last resort
• resort to
• weapon of last resort
• without resort to

Rhymes for resort

• abort
• airport
• alport
• athwart
• carport
• comport
• consort
• deport
• disport
• distort
• escort
• exhort

Kids Definition

resort

1 of 2 noun

re·​sort ri-ˈzȯ(ə)rt 

1

a

: someone or something that is looked to for help

a last resort

b

: recourse sense 1

have resort to force

2

a

: frequent, habitual, or general visiting

a place of popular resort

b

: a frequently visited place : hangout

c

: a place providing recreation and entertainment especially to vacationers

a ski resort

resort

2 of 2 verb

1

: to go especially frequently or habitually

2

: to turn to for aid, relief, or advantage

resort to violence