resist

verb re·sist \ ri-ˈzist \

Updated on: 15 Apr 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

The Jackson County prosecutor has charged the alleged driver Kortney M. Shoop, 27, with first-degree assault and resisting arrest.

— robert a. cronkleton, kansascity, "Three charged in Kansas City area chase in which shots were fired at police | The Kansas City Star," 9 Apr. 2018
Clark is accused of second-degree assault, attempted second-degree assault and resisting arrest.

— everton bailey jr., OregonLive.com, "Oregon man accused of attacking 5 with propane torch," 4 Apr. 2018
Thomas Phillip Rausch, 35, of the 600 block of Pier Drive, was charged Sunday with second-degree assault and resisting arrest.

— erika butler, The Aegis, "Harford County police blotter," 3 Apr. 2018
He is charged with driving under the influence, leaving the scene of a collision causing property damage, assault with a dangerous weapon and resisting arrest.

— CBS News, "Boston firefighter arrested after crashing into cop car and fleeing," 31 Mar. 2018
In 2007, he was charged with assault, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest after punching another male in the back of the head and running away from police, police records show.

— author: robert o'harrow jr., shawn boburg, Anchorage Daily News, "Behind the chaos: Office that vets Trump appointees plagued by inexperience," 30 Mar. 2018
Waite was charged with criminal trespass, criminal mischief, petit larceny and resisting arrest.

— Fox News, "Drunk man steals beef jerky from 7-Eleven, breaks into New York home and urinates on porch, cops say," 25 Mar. 2018
The officer arrested the trio for underage drinking, obstructing official business, curfew violation and resisting arrest.

— john benson, cleveland.com, "Drunk driver hits police car on Pearl Road: Parma Heights Police Blotter," 22 Mar. 2018
He was charged with disorderly conduct, underage consumption and resisting arrest.

— cameron knight, Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati kept the ruckus level low on St. Paddy's Day," 19 Mar. 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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

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

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