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.
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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.
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as in challenger
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of resistant
Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
That composition would have made the tool harder and more durable than standard copper — a real functional advantage for a piece meant to bore through resistant materials.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
Irid says the visors also feature an anti-fogging inner layer, and are resistant to scratches.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 13 Feb. 2026
Every morning before walking into the ICU, my colleagues and I checked flu activity levels, RSV hospitalizations, drug-resistant organism patterns.
—Robert B. Shpiner, STAT, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for resistant
Adjective
This composition would have made ancient tools harder and more durable than standard copper — a significant advantage for a drill bit that needed to bore through resistant materials.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
That composition would have made the tool harder and more durable than standard copper — a real functional advantage for a piece meant to bore through resistant materials.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
Irid says the visors also feature an anti-fogging inner layer, and are resistant to scratches.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 13 Feb. 2026
Every morning before walking into the ICU, my colleagues and I checked flu activity levels, RSV hospitalizations, drug-resistant organism patterns.
—Robert B. Shpiner, STAT, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for resistant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for resistant
Adjective
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Students continue to struggle with foundational skills like reading and math, with persistent rates of underperformance even years after disruptive events such as the pandemic.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
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By Michael Sasso | Bloomberg US homebuilders’ confidence slipped again this month, bogged down by persistent worries over affordability and high construction costs.—
Bloomberg,
Oc Register,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The first to turn in a petition was Councilmember Traci Park, who is facing two challengers while running for reelection in a coastal district.—
Rebecca Ellis,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
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The second are investment-grade software firms like Salesforce and Adobe that have robust balance sheets and can implement AI to fend off challengers.—
Hugh Son,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Switch up the protein in your gumbo based on the opposing team that game day.—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
16 Feb. 2026
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This season in particular, home games have been a short respite from the hostile environments UConn has faced on the road, where – just about – every opposing team and fan base makes the most of their shot at one of the top teams in the country.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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One person refuses to bow — not an army, not a revolution, one stubborn Jew minding his own business — and Haman cannot function.—
Rabbi Bruce D. Forman,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Feb. 2026
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Scrub gently with a soft sponge or brush, focusing on stubborn areas.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Tanimoto, as the last living Block 42 resister, carries a singular piece of that history — a controversy and act of resistance within the walls of confinement that illustrated the dilemma faced by people imprisoned by their own country without accusation of a crime.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
19 Feb. 2026
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Sherrill focused many of her critiques on ICE and Trump’s immigration policies, positioning the state as a major resister of Trump’s deportation plans.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The same report notes that many people continue to recognize viable opportunities, yet a growing number feel reluctant to act on them.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
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And while many might be reluctant to close the time capsule door on their beloved skinnies, some of us are sighing with relief that the current denim trend is comfy enough for travel.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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For Schwartz, positive support from other businesses all over the country and across the political spectrum has kept him going through the criticism.—
Elisabeth Buchwald,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
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Based on positive response to this distribution strategy and assortment, the footprint has now grown to more than 1,000 locations, the company said.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Central Banks Remain a Key Support One reason analysts are hesitant to call an end to the rally is ongoing demand from central banks.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
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Speeches land as heartfelt confessions as hesitant characters gently lay the groundwork until the moment of avowal becomes unavoidable.—
Sophie Monks Kaufman,
IndieWire,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Resistant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resistant. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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