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
Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
Weisman also emphasizes the importance of choosing good-quality performance fabrics that are also fade-resistant.
—Tessa Cooper, Southern Living, 6 June 2026
Leak-resistant food containers for work, travel and everyday use fit seamlessly in each design.
—ABC News, 6 June 2026
Structure information summary Most structures in this region are resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerable structures exist.
—Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for resistant
Adjective
For a small subset of people with severe, treatment-resistant autoimmune or hypersensitivity conditions, there may be a short-term clinical rationale worth exploring under medical supervision.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
Weisman also emphasizes the importance of choosing good-quality performance fabrics that are also fade-resistant.
—Tessa Cooper, Southern Living, 6 June 2026
Leak-resistant food containers for work, travel and everyday use fit seamlessly in each design.
—ABC News, 6 June 2026
Structure information summary Most structures in this region are resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerable structures exist.
—Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for resistant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for resistant
Adjective
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In the years since the band came together to challenge country radio’s persistent gender imbalance, there has been some significant headway.—
Marissa R. Moss,
Rolling Stone,
2 June 2026
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Since the initiative began, more than 200,000 children have moved out of poverty, but food insecurity remains a persistent challenge.—
Sky Beard,
Sun Sentinel,
2 June 2026
Noun
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Republican challenger Steve Hilton trails Becerra by less than one percentage point as ballot counting continues.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
6 June 2026
-
This is the first time, to my knowledge, that an incumbent mayor in the City of Angels would be running against a challenger whose campaign manager is God Almighty.—
Steve Lopez,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
Nereyda Hernandez had just given a speech, and was one of the first LGBTQ activists to leave the scene once the opposing protesters arrived.—
Jackson Thompson OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
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Instead of pretending to be doctors attempting to remove body parts from a patient, however, Unethical Hoops players act as members of an opposing basketball team trying to take the ball from a cartoon character who very much resembles Gilgeous-Alexander.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Grab a melamine sponge and get rid of stubborn bathtub stains in a jiffy.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
1 June 2026
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If the Avs remain stubborn and play a style that suits their stars in the regular season, MacKinnon might win another title, but will be at the end of his career with another team.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
1 June 2026
Noun
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Clemson resister Dabo Swinney has driven his program into the ground.—
Stewart Mandel,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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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
Adjective
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Besides hitting consumers’ pocketbooks, those higher costs can make businesses reluctant to hire.—
Matt Ott,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
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This favoritism is driven by legacy preferences, athletic recruitment and nonacademic ratings that reward expensive resume-building, yet elite universities remain reluctant to change these practices.—
Prasad Krishnamurthy,
Mercury News,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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One more win on Saturday would turn those party celebrations into something even more special and would only enhance those positive vibes around the club.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
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Her results came back as estrogen receptor-positive stage 2A breast cancer, meaning her cancer had estrogen receptors that would respond to hormone therapy drugs.—
Ayren Jackson-Cannady,
SELF,
29 May 2026
Adjective
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That means discussing communicable diseases — like many populations, the Amish, many of whom do vaccinate, have been increasingly hesitant since the Covid-19 pandemic — as well as genetic and other conditions.—
Torie Bosch,
STAT,
3 June 2026
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Even with the changes, some council members were hesitant to support the plan.—
Kendrick Calfee
June 3,
Kansas City Star,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Resistant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resistant. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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