resist
v.-
1 to fight against (v.) B2 Upper Intermediateto 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.
ExampleThe local people resisted the plan to build a new highway through the forest.
ExampleThe 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.
-
2 to stop yourself (v.) B2 Upper Intermediateto stop yourself from doing something that you really want to do.
to refrain from yielding to a temptation or an impulse.
ExampleI couldn't resist eating another piece of chocolate cake.
ExampleEven 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.
Show 1 more senseShow fewer
-
3 to not be damaged (v.) B2 Upper Intermediate Scienceto not be harmed or affected by something like heat, water, or disease.
to remain unaffected or undamaged by an external agent or force.
ExampleThese plants are bred to resist common garden pests.
ExampleThe 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'.
From Middle English resisten, from Middle French resister and Old French resistre, and their source, Latin resistere, from re- + sistere (“cause to stand”).
- Verbresist
- Nounresistance
- Nounresistor
- Adjectiveirresistible
- Adjectiveresistant