resistance

noun

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re·sis·tance | \ ri-ˈzi-stən(t)s

Definition of resistance

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : an act or instance of resisting : opposition

b : a means of resisting

2 : the power or capacity to resist: such as

a : the inherent ability of an organism to resist harmful influences (such as disease, toxic agents, or infection)

b : the capacity of a species or strain of microorganism to survive exposure to a toxic agent (such as a drug) formerly effective against it

3 : an opposing or retarding force

4a : the opposition offered by a body or substance to the passage through it of a steady electric current

b : a source of resistance

5 : a psychological defense mechanism wherein a patient rejects, denies, or otherwise opposes the therapeutic efforts of a psychotherapist

6 often capitalized : an underground organization of a conquered or nearly conquered country engaging in sabotage and secret operations against occupation forces and collaborators

resistance

adjective

Definition of resistance (Entry 2 of 2)

: of, relating to, or being exercise involving pushing or pulling against a source of resistance (such as a weight) to increase strength resistance training

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Phrases Containing resistance Learn More About resistance

Synonyms & Antonyms for resistance

Synonyms: Noun

Antonyms: Noun

acquiescence

Examples of resistance in a Sentence

Noun They have shown a stubborn resistance to change. The troops met heavy resistance as they approached the city. The paint shows good weather resistance. Over time the patient could develop a resistance to the drug.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Other changes are more nuanced, like reducing a tire’s rolling resistance, which is the friction between the tires and the road that a vehicle has to overcome to move. — Sean Mcdonnell, cleveland, 6 Aug. 2022 Always An Optimist 4-in-1 Prime & Set Mist won us over with its light hydrating mist, water-resistance, and stellar performance in all of our tests. — Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 5 Aug. 2022 Nation-state cyberattacks and cybercriminals generally seek out the path of least resistance, which is why software supply chain jacking is a growing threat. — Tony Bradley, Forbes, 31 July 2022 As oceanographer John Englander writes in his 2021 book Moving to Higher Ground, the choices available to populations confronted with rising seas are inaction, adaptation, resistance, or retreat. — Taras Grescoe, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 July 2022 This is good news, as right now the World Bank estimates that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the biggest threats to global health, food security, and development. — Wired, 22 July 2022 The new scheduling model has been met with mostly positive reviews, but there has been some fan resistance to the loss of annual rivalry games, most notably Wake Forest and NC State. — David Thompson, USA TODAY, 20 July 2022 Nonetheless, the potential for new prospecting has inspired a visible public resistance, a jobs vs. community character debate, that at its heart asks whether the Golden State really needs gold anymore. — Scott Wilson, Washington Post, 17 July 2022 The island — shrouded in myth since ancient times — early on took on legendary significance for Ukraine’s resistance to the Russian invasion, when Ukrainian troops there reportedly received a demand from a Russian warship to surrender or be bombed. — Francesca Ebel, Anchorage Daily News, 1 July 2022 See More

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

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Last Updated

11 Aug 2022

Cite this Entry

“Resistance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resistance. Accessed 17 Aug. 2022.

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More Definitions for resistance

resistance

noun

re·sis·tance | \ ri-ˈzi-stəns

Kids Definition of resistance

1 : an act or instance of opposing

2 : the ability to withstand the force or effect of resistance to disease

3 : an opposing or slowing force The car's sleek design reduces wind resistance.

4 : the opposition offered by a substance to the passage through it of an electric current

resistance

noun

re·sis·tance | \ ri-ˈzis-tən(t)s

Medical Definition of resistance

1a : power or capacity to resist especially : the inherent ability of an organism to resist harmful influences (as disease, toxic agents, or infection)

b : the capacity of a species or strain of microorganism to survive exposure to a toxic agent (as a drug) formerly effective against it due to genetic mutation and selection for and accumulation of genes conferring protection from the agent especially as a result of overuse of the agent which selectively destroys individual microorganisms lacking the protective genes

2a : the opposition offered by a body to the passage through it of a steady electric current

b : opposition or impediment to the flow of a fluid (as blood or respiratory gases) through one or more passages — see vascular resistance

3 : a psychological defense mechanism wherein a psychoanalysis patient rejects, denies, or otherwise opposes therapeutic efforts by the analyst