resistant
5 synonyms and 0 antonyms for resistant, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Not easily affected, damaged, or changed by something.
Synonyms
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.
How to use resistant
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From French résistant, built from "resist" plus "-ant".
Full origin of resistant →Frequently asked questions
What does “resistant” mean?
The word “resistant” means not easily affected, damaged, or changed by something.
How do you pronounce “resistant”?
“Resistant” is pronounced ruh-ZIHS-tuhnt (/ɹəˈzɪstənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “resistant” in a sentence?
Here is “resistant” used in a sentence: “The new strain is resistant to most antibiotics.”
What part of speech is “resistant”?
“Resistant” is an adjective.
Where does the word “resistant” come from?
The word “resistant” comes from French. From French résistant, built from "resist" plus "-ant".
Is “resistant” a common word?
“Resistant” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between resistant and resilient?
Resistant means not easily affected, damaged, or changed in the first place — the impact is blocked or reduced. Resilient means able to recover quickly after being affected. A stain-resistant carpet repels spills; a resilient person bounces back from setbacks.
What is the difference between water-resistant and waterproof?
Water-resistant means not easily damaged or penetrated by water: the item withstands splashes or brief exposure, but not unlimited soaking. Waterproof implies complete protection against water. That is why watches and jackets are usually labeled water-resistant, often with a stated rating, rather than waterproof.
Which preposition follows resistant — resistant to or resistant against?
The standard preposition is "to": bacteria become resistant to antibiotics, a person is resistant to change, a material is resistant to heat. "Resistant against" does appear occasionally, but it is far less common and best avoided in careful writing.