resist
12 synonyms and 3 antonyms for resist, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To try to stop or oppose something, or to refuse to give in to it.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use resist
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
resist temptation
resist change
resist arrest
Etymology
From Latin resistere, "to stand back, oppose" — from re- plus sistere, "to cause to stand".
Full origin of resist →Frequently asked questions
What does “resist” mean?
The word “resist” means to try to stop or oppose something, or to refuse to give in to it.
How do you pronounce “resist”?
“Resist” is pronounced rih-ZIHST (/ɹɪˈzɪst/ in IPA).
How do you use “resist” in a sentence?
Here is “resist” used in a sentence: “The town resisted the developers' plans for years.”
What is another word for “resist”?
Words with a similar meaning to “resist” include gainstay, oppose and withset.
What is the opposite of “resist”?
The opposite of “resist” — its antonyms — are obey and submit.
What part of speech is “resist”?
“Resist” is a verb.
Where does the word “resist” come from?
The word “resist” comes from Latin. From Latin resistere, "to stand back, oppose" — from re- plus sistere, "to cause to stand".
Is “resist” a common word?
“Resist” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between "resist" and "oppose"?
"Resist" means to try to stop or refuse to give in to something, often through active effort or by holding out against pressure. "Oppose" means to be against something and to act or argue in the opposite direction, so you can oppose an idea in principle while "resist" stresses actually pushing back against it.
Is "resist" followed by an -ing form or an infinitive?
"Resist" is followed by the -ing form, not the infinitive, as in "I couldn't resist buying it." Saying "resist to buy" is incorrect; the verb also works directly with a noun, as in "resist temptation."
What is the difference between "resist" and "withstand"?
"Resist" can mean to actively oppose something or to remain unaffected by it, while "withstand" focuses only on successfully enduring pressure or force without being harmed. A person can resist an argument, but a wall withstands a storm; "withstand" implies coming through unharmed rather than merely pushing back.
