re·sis·tance
ri-ˈzi-stən(t)s 
plural resistances
1
a
: 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 impeding force
4
a
: 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
: of, relating to, or being exercise involving pushing or pulling against a source of resistance (such as a weight) to increase strength
resistance training
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
Kathleen Collins, Twin Cities, 26 Oct. 2025
The shelter had initially been targeted for a July 2025 opening, and has encountered fierce resistance from parts of the West Roxbury community since the state first began sharing its intention to house homeless families there last spring.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Leafs forward Dakota Joshua weaved through Buffalo’s defensive zone coverage without much resistance and then whipped an off-balance shot toward the net.
—Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Founded in 1909 by respected local businessman Jabbar, the event was born at a time of growing resistance to British colonial rule as a way to promote unity, physical strength and cultural identity.
—NPR, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for resistance
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Noun
Reagan empowered Afghanistan’s resistance to the Soviet invasion – escalating Soviet losses and fueling discontent.
—Kathleen Collins, Twin Cities, 26 Oct. 2025
The shelter had initially been targeted for a July 2025 opening, and has encountered fierce resistance from parts of the West Roxbury community since the state first began sharing its intention to house homeless families there last spring.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Leafs forward Dakota Joshua weaved through Buffalo’s defensive zone coverage without much resistance and then whipped an off-balance shot toward the net.
—Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Founded in 1909 by respected local businessman Jabbar, the event was born at a time of growing resistance to British colonial rule as a way to promote unity, physical strength and cultural identity.
—NPR, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for resistance
Cite this Entry
“Resistance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resistance. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
resistance
noun
re·sis·tance
ri-ˈzis-tən(t)s
1
a
: 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
2
a
: 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
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