resist

verb re·sist \ ri-ˈzist \

Updated on: 12 May 2018

Definition of resist

intransitive verb

: to exert force in opposition

transitive verb

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

See resist defined for English-language learners

See resist defined for kids

Examples of resist in a Sentence

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 of resist from the Web

Trump Foe The Democrat has also been a courtroom foe of President Donald Trump, earning national recognition for playing a central role in resisting the current administration’s policies.

— kartikay mehrotra, Bloomberg.com, "NY Attorney General Schneiderman Resigns," 8 May 2018
Suazo was not resisting and was lying on his stomach and his hands were being restrained, the police report said.

— darran simon and jamiel lynch, CNN, "Miami police officer charged with assault denies kicking suspect," 8 May 2018
In 1974, Alan Greenspan, President Gerald Ford’s economic adviser and an acolyte of Ayn Rand, likewise urged resisting political pressure to help the economy grow.

— caleb crain, The New Yorker, "Is Capitalism a Threat to Democracy?," 7 May 2018
The mat is durable and resists sliding on the studio floor during class.

— rachel jacoby zoldan, SELF, "The Millennial Pink Yoga Mat You Can Actually Schlep Anywhere," 5 May 2018
In addition, her stories frequently include a bonus: The novelist in Sittenfeld can’t resist filling us in on what happens to these people later, beyond the usual confines of short fiction.

— heller mcalpin, San Francisco Chronicle, "‘You Think It, I’ll Say It,’ stories by Curtis Sittenfeld," 4 May 2018
Garcia continues to resist as the officer who warned Garcia reaches for a taser on his belt.

— NBC News, "Man tasered on American Airlines flight after allegedly fondling a female passenger," 23 Apr. 2018
Police said Guenther continued to resist and after the dog began to bite, Guenther started pushing and then punching at Fury.

— amy lavalley, chicagotribune.com, "Police: Man punches K-9 officer, faces charges," 23 Apr. 2018
As the officer continued to resist his advances, Horn wrote her up for a bogus rules violation, Hutchens found.

— paul egan, Detroit Free Press, "Female officers face widespread sexual harassment in Michigan's prison system," 21 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'resist.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of resist

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French resister, from Latin resistere, from re- + sistere to take a stand; akin to Latin stare to stand — more at stand

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First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

resist Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of resist

oppose, combat, resist, withstand mean to set oneself against someone or something. oppose can apply to any conflict, from mere objection to bitter hostility or warfare.

- opposed the plan

combat stresses the forceful or urgent countering of something.

- combat disease

resist implies an overt recognition of a hostile or threatening force and a positive effort to counteract or repel it.

- resisting temptation

withstand suggests a more passive resistance.

- trying to withstand peer pressure

resist

noun, often attributive

Definition of resist

: something (such as a coating) that protects against a chemical, electrical, or physical action

Recent Examples of resist from the Web

David Erickson, 43, of Garden City, was booked into the Ada County Jail on two felony charges of battery against law enforcement, one misdemeanor count of resist and obstruction and a misdemeanor count of trespassing, according to a release.

— michael katz, idahostatesman, "Two local police officers injured after suspect becomes violent on Greenbelt | Idaho Statesman," 30 Mar. 2018
But the resist-Trump movement -- combined with more Hispanics moving into the region and the retirement of Royce and fellow GOP Rep. Darrell Issa in the nearby 49th district -- resulted in Democratic hopefuls piling into races.

— joseph weber, Fox News, "In wild California primary, Democratic candidate sues over rivals' ballot entries, candidates eased out," 28 Mar. 2018
Head to her three-hour workshop for a history lesson and a hands-on tutorial in shibori (an ancient Japanese method of resist dyeing not unlike tie-dye).

— lilah ramzi, Vogue, "West Elm Has Curated Workshops With its Favorite Local Artisans Across the U.S.," 13 Mar. 2018
With the support of UNHCR, RefuSHE also encourages economic empowerment by teaching the young women to make colorful scarves using resist-dyeing, a traditional East African technique similar to tie-dye.

— alison s. cohn, Harper's BAZAAR, "Runway of Hope: Angelina Jolie Opens Up About a Different Kind of Fashion Show," 8 Mar. 2018
The indigo resist-dye style fabric seen on said dress is easily reminiscent of the oceanic textiles in Areté Complete's own designs.

— madeleine luckel, Vogue, "From French Floral Prints to Blue Shibori, Bring New York Fashion Week Looks Into Your Home," 12 Feb. 2018
But many of the #resist leaders aren’t ready for a victory lap just yet.

— philip elliott / los angeles, Time, "Here's What It Was Like to Watch the State of the Union With the Resistance," 31 Jan. 2018
Despite scarce resources and a broken-down infrastructure, learning the craft of resist-dyeing (or tie-dyeing) has helped them work toward economic independence through making their own scarves.

— emily farra, Vogue, "Nest Gathers Industry Leaders at the United Nations to Discuss the New Handworker Economy and the Future of Ethical Fashion," 11 Dec. 2017
But most resist, because random strings are hard to remember.

— jo craven mcginty, WSJ, "If ‘P@$$w0rd1’ Is So Simple to Figure Out, Then What Should You Do?," 18 Aug. 2017

First Known Use of resist

1836

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Electrical Engineering Terms

feedback, fuse, incandescent, noise, resonance

RESIST Defined for English Language Learners

resist

verb

Definition of resist for English Language Learners

: to fight against (something) : to try to stop or prevent (something)
: to remain strong against the force or effect of (something) : to not be affected or harmed by (something)
: to prevent yourself from doing something that you want to do