Word
resist
Phoneticsre·sist, stress on the second syllable
US/ɹiˈzɪst/
UK/ɹɪsˈɪst/
Definitions
01to fight against
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to fight against someone or something that is attacking you or trying to change you.
v. to exert force in opposition to an action or an attacker; often used in contexts of physical struggle or political defiance.
“The local people resisted the plan to build a new highway through the forest.”
“The small garrison resisted the advancing army for three weeks, despite being heavily outnumbered and low on supplies.”
Usage
Often used as a transitive verb taking a direct object.
02to stop yourself
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to stop yourself from doing something that you really want to do.
v. to refrain from yielding to a temptation or an impulse.
“I couldn't resist eating another piece of chocolate cake.”
“Even the most disciplined investors found it difficult to resist the urge to sell when the market began its sudden decline.”
Usage
Commonly used with 'can't' or 'couldn't' to show a strong desire.
Pitfall
I couldn't resist to buy the shoes.
I couldn't resist buying the shoes.
When 'resist' is followed by another action, use the -ing form, not the infinitive.
03to not be damaged
B2 · Upper Intermediate Science
v. to not be harmed or affected by something like heat, water, or disease.
v. to remain unaffected or undamaged by an external agent or force.
“These plants are bred to resist common garden pests.”
“The new alloy was specifically engineered to resist corrosion even when submerged in saltwater for extended periods.”
Usage
Often appears in the passive voice or as part of a compound adjective like 'heat-resistant'.
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “resist” in context.
Verb
01. hard to resist the offer
“It was incredibly hard to resist the offer of a free holiday.”
adv + adj + infinitive
02. resist the temptation to eat
“I couldn't resist the temptation to eat the last piece of chocolate cake.”
verb + noun + infinitive
03. resist the urge to laugh
“She had to resist the urge to laugh during the serious meeting.”
verb + noun + infinitive
Noun
04. ability to resist infection
“A healthy diet improves your body's ability to resist infection.”
noun + infinitive
05. failure to resist the arrest
“His failure to resist the arrest made the police officer's job much easier.”
noun + infinitive
Adverb
06. fiercely resist the invasion
“The soldiers fiercely resisted the invasion for three weeks.”
adv + verb + noun
07. strongly resist the changes
“The local community strongly resisted the changes to the historic park.”
adv + verb + noun
08. stubbornly resist the pressure
“He stubbornly resisted the pressure to resign from his position.”
adv + verb + noun
Real-World Examples
“These foods can be difficult to resist and may encourage people to eat more than they need.” “My father gave them this wonderful mock Latin school motto: Ursus Nobiscum, which is Bear with Us."
Despite her large collection, Val still can't resist buying new pieces for the houses.” “I generally resist their request and offer to help them learn to do close reading instead.” Etymology
From Middle English resisten, from Middle French resister and Old French resistre, and their source, Latin resistere, from re- + sistere (“cause to stand”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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