resist
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
to fight against someone or something that is attacking you or trying to change you.
to exert force in opposition to an action or an attacker; often used in contexts of physical struggle or political defiance.
Simple“The local people resisted the plan to build a new highway through the forest.”
In context“The small garrison resisted the advancing army for three weeks, despite being heavily outnumbered and low on supplies.”
UsageOften used as a transitive verb taking a direct object.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
to stop yourself from doing something that you really want to do.
to refrain from yielding to a temptation or an impulse.
Simple“I couldn't resist eating another piece of chocolate cake.”
In context“Even the most disciplined investors found it difficult to resist the urge to sell when the market began its sudden decline.”
UsageCommonly used with 'can't' or 'couldn't' to show a strong desire.
PitfallI 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.
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
to not be harmed or affected by something like heat, water, or disease.
to remain unaffected or undamaged by an external agent or force.
Simple“These plants are bred to resist common garden pests.”
In context“The new alloy was specifically engineered to resist corrosion even when submerged in saltwater for extended periods.”
UsageOften appears in the passive voice or as part of a compound adjective like 'heat-resistant'.
“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.”
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.