Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

resist

[ri-zist] / rɪˈzɪst /
VERB
withstand, oppose
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abide combat confront continue curb defy endure forgo maintain prevent refuse repel thwart turn down
STRONG
antagonize assail assault battle bear brook buck check contend counteract countervail dispute duel forbear hinder hold persevere persist refrain remain stay stonewall suffer traverse weather
WEAK
abstain from die hard fight back hold off hold out against keep from leave alone put up a fight remain firm stand up to struggle against
Antonyms
STRONGEST
OK accept aid allow assist discontinue encourage help stop surrender
STRONG
abandon advance agree cease desert give in give up go indulge leave permit quit refuse reject
WEAK
comply conform go along

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“He must resist the temptation of incrementalism that has plagued Apple of late,” said Dipanjan Chatterjee, vice president and principal analyst at Forrester.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

Jones has reportedly said he will also resist the new effort.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

No matter how much we try to resist, curiosity remains.

From Salon • Apr. 19, 2026

Why does religion persist despite asking so much—time, money, behavioral constraint, belief in claims that resist verification?

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026

Elisha was disappointed in Maggie’s broken promise; but even he couldn’t resist asking for a bit of celebrity gossip, “Tell me how Mrs. Pierce got on!”

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Vocabulary lists containing resist

"The Civil Rights Movement"

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Unit 2: Pivotal Words and Phrases

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

Unit 2: Pivotal Words and Phrases

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!