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

Barbara Corcoran said McCall was too resistant and close-minded to be a good partner. —Brandon Kochkodin, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025

In about 20 percent of cases, McLaughlin said, the condition is estimated to be resistant to treatment. —Frieda Klotz, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Apr. 2025

Sweet potatoes are a resistant starch, which the body cannot break down and use for energy. —Lindsey Desoto, Health, 24 Apr. 2025

The cameras record in 1080p resolution, can stream video to a mobile app, are weather resistant and have an unusually long battery life. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2025

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