Also spelled resis

US /ɹɪˈzɪst/
verb Freq #3479

Meanings

  1. 1
    verb

    To stop yourself from doing or having something you want.

    I couldn't resist the temptation to have another slice of cake.

  2. 2
    verb

    To fight against or refuse to accept something.

    The villagers resisted the army's advance for weeks.

  3. 3
    verb

    To not be harmed or affected by something.

    These trees can resist both salt and smog.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 verb · to stop yourself from doing... refuse
2 verb · to fight against or refuse... opposehold out
3 verb · to not be harmed or... withstandstand
More gainstaywithset
Opposites
Word family
Forms resistedresistingresistlessresistlesslyresistsunresistingunresistingly
Derived forms irresistibleirresistiblynonresistingresistanceresistantresistantlyresistfulresistibleresistiblyresistinresistinglyresistive

Common collocations

Etymology

From Middle English resisten, from Middle French resister and Old French resistre, and their source, Latin resistere, from re- + sistere (“cause to stand”).

View etymology graph ->

Topics

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