resistant 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of resistantnext
1
as in resisting
opposed to something or refusing to agree or obey The toddler was resistant to trying vegetables. His parents were set in their ways and resistant to the changes brought about by technology.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words
2
as in persistent
having or showing determination to do or continue something The resistant athletes did not give up even when they were losing the game. He was quite resistant, able to bounce back after even large setbacks in his career.

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

resistant

2 of 2

noun

as in challenger

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of resistant
Adjective
Power shutoffs, camera networks, aggressive firefighting tactics and measures to make homes more resistant to fire all play a role. — Steve Large, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 Despite the growing proportion of drug-resistant cases, the number of cases overall is not shooting up. — Charlotte Observer, 16 Oct. 2026 Nano black features a fingerprint- and stain-resistant coating, while the silver-white Neo is treated with a special sandblasting process to give it a matte finish. — Brian Westover, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026 Lutnick has been resistant to reducing the tariffs, the sources said. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for resistant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for resistant
  1. resisting
  2. persistent
  3. challenger
  4. opposing
  5. stubborn
  6. resister
  7. reluctant
  8. positive
Adjective
  • There’s likely to be grasping, resisting, skillful and futile efforts to swim and worry about what’s up ahead.
    — Ginny Whitelaw, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of resisting
Adjective
  • Those capabilities could help address a persistent challenge in counter-drone warfare.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • This cycle of price increases serves not only to offset immediate fuel price spikes, but also to make up for unadjusted pricing power lost in recent years due to flight overcapacity, fare suppression, and persistent inflation.
    — , CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of persistent
Noun
  • Matsui, 82, faces progressive challenger and Sacramento Councilmember Mai Vang for the 7th Congressional District, which includes Sacramento’s downtown core, Elk Grove, Placerville and El Dorado Hills.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Republican Ryan Mackenzie will look to defend his seat against Democratic challenger Bob Brooks.
    — Dan Snyder, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of challenger
Adjective
  • The Jazz didn’t play a highlight reel during the game to welcome the center back, as many teams often do for a player who returns on an opposing team.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Skattebo found a crease, lowered his helmet and ran over an opposing defender.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of opposing
Adjective
  • An honor that seems to bring things full circle for that stubborn little girl who dreamed of performing on stages around the world from her farm.
    — Ilaria Perrotta, Vanity Fair, 24 Oct. 2026
  • How To Remove Leaf Stains With Chlorine Bleach Bleach is very effective at removing stubborn leaf stains, along with mildew and moss.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of stubborn
Noun
  • In November 1971, Berkeley, California, became the first sanctuary city in the country when 12 local churches inspired the City Council to pass a resolution offering sanctuary to draft resisters.
    — Menika Dirkson, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2026
  • Clemson resister Dabo Swinney has driven his program into the ground.
    — Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Definition of resister
Adjective
  • Still, the prospect of additional supply from American producers remains uncertain, with companies reluctant to commit to major new investments amid volatile prices and geopolitical risks.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Cast as Eva, the head of an international organization trying to save the planet in Project Hail Mary, Hüller spends this sci-fi blockbuster strictly on terra firma, acting as a socially awkward, deadpan foil for Ryan Gosling’s reluctant astronaut.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of reluctant
Adjective
  • At the same time, more than nine in 10 Americans say the federal government has the power to make a positive impact on society — suggesting many believe the current administration is not making use of that power.
    — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Just 39% of Americans say AI has a positive impact on society, compared with 44% who believe its impact is negative, according to a national survey conducted this month by my company, Outward Intelligence.
    — Will Johnson, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of positive

Browse Nearby Words

resistances
resistant
resistants
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Resistant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resistant. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of milieu

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All