insulin resistance

noun

: reduced sensitivity to insulin by the body's insulin-dependent processes (such as glucose uptake and lipolysis) that is typical of type 2 diabetes but often occurs in the absence of diabetes

Examples of insulin resistance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Link Between Sleep and Diabetes Research has long shown a close connection between sleep and insulin resistance, prediabetes, and diabetes — as sleep is essential for regulating hormones, including those connected to glucose (blood sugar) metabolism, like cortisol and insulin. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 5 Mar. 2026

Drinking coffee may lead to short-term spikes in blood sugar and changes in insulin response, especially in people with insulin resistance, prediabetes, or type 2 diabetes. —Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 5 Mar. 2026

Chronic overconsumption and inactivity lead to excess body fat (especially in the abdominal region), resulting in insulin resistance, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol and early kidney dysfunction. —Jia Shen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026

Eventually, this can contribute to unstable blood sugar levels, potentially leading to blood sugar issues like insulin resistance or diabetes, says Ehsani. —Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 25 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for insulin resistance

• magnetoresistance
• assistance
• consistence
• desistance
• existence
• insistence
• persistence
• subsistence
• coexistence
• nonexistence
• distance

Medical Definition

insulin resistance

noun

: reduced sensitivity to insulin by the body's insulin-dependent processes (as glucose uptake, lipolysis, and inhibition of glucose production by the liver) that results in decreased activity of these processes or an increase in insulin production or both and that is typical of type 2 diabetes but often occurs in the absence of diabetes