resist

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verb re·sist \ri-ˈzist\

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

Britain has resisted Emirati pressure to ban the Muslim Brotherhood and hosts many more senior Brotherhood figures than Qatar does.

— The Economist, "To escape repression, critics are leaving the Gulf," 20 July 2017
Matthews was charged in Lake Superior Court with attempted aggravated battery, attempted battery by means of a deadly weapon, attempted criminal recklessness, pointing a firearm and misdemeanor resisting law enforcement.

— ruth ann krause, Post-Tribune, "Police: Gary man fired gun at passing cars," 10 July 2017
There is the usual chortling from the North Korean government, which ordinarily wouldn't bother anyone, but the current president* has shown himself to be uniquely incapable of resisting this kind of thing.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "The President* Is Uniquely Incapable of Dealing With This Problem," 5 July 2017
Illinois has entered its third consecutive fiscal year without a budget plan because Rauner has resisted inking a deal without business- and political-climate changes to boost commerce, restore political faith and relieve local property-tax owners.

— john o'connor, The Seattle Times, "Credit houses send Illinois positive financial signals," 3 July 2017
The ISP release states that Ellis' Indiana charge is fleeing or resisting law enforcement.

— darcy costello, The Courier-Journal, "Driver of red truck taken into custody in Indiana after nearly hour-long police chase," 29 June 2017
The elder brother, who also was charged with resisting a police officer, is due back in court next week, while his younger sibling has a July 13 date, prosecutors said.

— clifford ward, Wheaton Glen Ellyn, "Warrenville teens gave pot to their 5-year-old nephew, prosecutors say," 29 June 2017
President George Washington’s new administration faced a broiling frontier war in the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes regions, where Indian nations had long been resisting American settlement.

— david preston, WSJ, "President Washington’s Indian War," 28 June 2017
Heritage Parkway, 1600 block: An individual was arrested for indecency with a minor W. Debbie Lane, 600 block: An individual was arrested for resisting arrest.

— star-telegram, "Mansfield Police Report," 27 June 2017

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

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 re·sist

Definition of resist

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

Recent Examples of resist from the Web

The pressure to take to the streets, to do something (RESIST! RESIST!

— bassey ikpi, The Root, "Sometimes, Staying Woke Means Staying Away," 26 May 2017
Pysanky, the art of wax-resist egg decorating dates back to the pre-Christian era.

— denise coffey, Courant Community, "Killingly Memorial School Showcases Student Art," 24 May 2017
Since Trump took office, Democrats have adopted a single theme: Resist!

— marc a. thiessen, The Denver Post, "Trump’s speech should seek bipartisanship — and dare Democrats to refuse it," 27 Feb. 2017
Rise and Resist’s first meeting, of about three hundred people, was in the West Village, at the , in Room 101, the regular gathering space for for many years.

— sarah larson, The New Yorker, "A Jazz Funeral for the American Presidency," 24 Feb. 2017
Days later, activists unfurled a 70-foot banner from a crane behind the White House, with just one word printed on it: RESIST.

— beverly gage, New York Times, "A ‘Resistance’ Stands Against Trump. But What Will It Stand For?," 31 Jan. 2017

First Known Use of resist

1836

Other Electrical Engineering Terms

feedback, fuse, incandescent, noise, resonance

RESIST Defined for English Language Learners

resist

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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

RESIST Defined for Kids

resist

play

verb re·sist \ri-ˈzist\

Definition of resist for Students

resisted

;

resisting

1 : to fight against : oppose Students resisted the war.
2 : to avoid doing or having something I can't resist bragging. Who can resist chocolate?
3 : to withstand the force or effect of These plants resist disease.