verb

resist

/rɪˈzɪst/ · say it: rih·ZIST

to withstand or oppose

In Actions & Behavior

In more detail

1. (verb) to refuse to accept or comply with something; to oppose

2. (verb) to fight back against someone or something; to defend yourself

3. (verb) to be able to withstand something without being harmed or affected

Examples

1. She resisted the urge to eat the cake before dinner.
2. The soldiers resisted the enemy attack bravely.
3. This material resists water and won't get damaged in the rain.

How to use resist

Resist is used when someone actively opposes, refuses, or fights against something external. It can mean emotional self-control (resist temptation), political opposition (resist tyranny), or physical durability (resist damage). The tone is neutral to formal and suits both everyday and serious contexts.

Common phrases

resist temptation
resist change
resist pressure
resist arrest
hard to resist

Synonyms

oppose · defy · refuse · withstand · fight

Opposites

accept · surrender · comply

Word family

resistance (noun) · resistant (adjective) · resistor (noun) · resister (noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use resist with a to-infinitive (resist to do) instead of the correct gerund form (resist doing): 'I cannot resist eating cake' not 'resist to eat cake.'

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