- 1[transitive, intransitive] to refuse to accept something and try to stop it from happening synonym oppose resist (something) to resist change They are determined to resist pressure to change the law. She steadfastly resisted all attempts to help her. I believe we should resist calls for tighter controls. resist doing something The bank strongly resisted cutting interest rates.
- 2[intransitive, transitive] to fight back when attacked; to use force to stop something from happening He tried to pin me down, but I resisted. resist something She was charged with resisting arrest.
- 3[transitive, intransitive] (usually in negative sentences) to stop yourself from having something you like or doing something you very much want to do resist (something) I finished the cake. I couldn't resist it. I found the temptation to miss the class too hard to resist. Eric couldn't resist a smile when she finally agreed. resist doing something He couldn't resist showing off his new car.
- 4[transitive] resist something to not be harmed or damaged by something A healthy diet should help your body resist infection. This new paint is designed to resist heat.
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NAmE//rɪˈzɪst//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they resist he / she / it resists
past simple resisted
-ing form resisting
Check pronunciation: resist