resisted; resisting; resists
: to exert force in opposition
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
often attributive
: something (such as a coating) that protects against a chemical, electrical, or physical action
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
Michael Collins, USA Today, 23 June 2025
The rug resists water and features a breathable material that won’t scratch your deck.
—Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 23 June 2025
Founders who micromanage, resist feedback or avoid tough decisions often stall progress—not because the business lacks potential, but because the leader hasn’t adapted to what growth really requires.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Texas is big—two hundred and sixty-nine thousand square miles—and has resisted canvassing efforts for decades.
—Eric Lach, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for resist
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
The Supreme Court upheld that ruling, but officials resisted bringing him back until he was indicted in May.
—Michael Collins, USA Today, 23 June 2025
The rug resists water and features a breathable material that won’t scratch your deck.
—Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 23 June 2025
Founders who micromanage, resist feedback or avoid tough decisions often stall progress—not because the business lacks potential, but because the leader hasn’t adapted to what growth really requires.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Texas is big—two hundred and sixty-nine thousand square miles—and has resisted canvassing efforts for decades.
—Eric Lach, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for resist
Cite this Entry
“Resist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resist. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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