resistant

1 of 2

adjective

re·​sis·​tant ri-ˈzi-stənt 

: giving, capable of, or exhibiting resistance

—often used in combination

wrinkle-resistant clothes

a drug-resistant strain of virus

resistant

2 of 2

noun

: one that resists : resister

Examples of resistant in a Sentence

Adjective

These plants are resistant to cold temperatures.

He became resistant to the medication.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Amazon shoppers have found a handful of travel-friendly pants that check all the boxes, with perks like water-resistant materials and built-in UPF protection. — Kaitlin Gates, Travel + Leisure, 29 Sep. 2026

Slip-resistant tile in matte or natural stone finishes adds traction without looking institutional. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2026

It’s designed for high-traffic areas like the living room or dining room, thanks to its durable low-pile construction and stain-resistant surface. — Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2026

Paper hot pot is a style of cooking where fire-resistant paper bowls tucked into mesh strainers are placed over tabletop burners that keep the food at a simmer. — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1548, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing resistant

• heat resistant
• vancomycin-resistant enterococcus
• water-resistant

Rhymes for resistant

• assistant
• consistent
• existent
• insistent
• persistent
• subsistent
• coexistent
• equidistant
• inconsistent
• nonexistent
• preexistent
• distant

Kids Definition

resistant

adjective

re·​sis·​tant

ri-ˈzis-tənt

: giving, capable of, or showing resistance

—often used in combination

wrinkle-resistant clothes

Medical Definition

resistant

adjective

re·​sis·​tant

variants also resistent

-tənt 

: giving, capable of, or exhibiting resistance

—often used in combination

a drug-resistant strain of virus