resisted; resisting; resists
: to exert force in opposition
1
: to exert oneself so as to counteract or defeat
he resisted temptation
2
: to withstand the force or effect of
material that resists heat
often attributive
: something (such as a coating) that protects against a chemical, electrical, or physical action
Examples of resist in a Sentence
Verb
He was charged with resisting arrest.
These windows can resist very high winds.
The drug will help your body resist infection.
She couldn't resist telling us what she'd heard.
He was able to resist the urge to tell her his secret.
It was hard resisting the temptation to open the box.
The offer was hard to resist.
I know I shouldn't have any more cake, but I can't resist.
Recent Examples on the Web
Shane Croucher
john Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
While other European markets have struggled with EV sales or considered rolling back clean transport policies, the UK has resisted industry calls for rollbacks and its committed to its long range policies.
—Margo T. Oge, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
All good people, regardless of fundamental beliefs, need to vigorously, with courage, resist the sickness that is Trump and MAGA.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 July 2025
Meanwhile, Trump administration officials have continued to pile on to that criticism, ramping up pressure on Powell, who has long resisted the president’s calls to lower interest rates.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for resist
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Trump had for months resisted pressure from Kyiv and NATO allies to turn the screw on Putin, engaging directly with Russia and distancing from Ukraine in the hopes that smoothing U.S. relations with Moscow would bring about a rapid end to the war.
—Shane Croucher
john Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
While other European markets have struggled with EV sales or considered rolling back clean transport policies, the UK has resisted industry calls for rollbacks and its committed to its long range policies.
—Margo T. Oge, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
All good people, regardless of fundamental beliefs, need to vigorously, with courage, resist the sickness that is Trump and MAGA.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 July 2025
Meanwhile, Trump administration officials have continued to pile on to that criticism, ramping up pressure on Powell, who has long resisted the president’s calls to lower interest rates.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for resist
Cite this Entry
“Resist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resist. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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