to resist

Examples

• All

• If the United States were to resist these trends, the two countries might go to war.

  Academic text (2013)

• I shall not bring down my flag, and if your men attempt it, my men will resist it.

  Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

• That is, they resist what right reason tells them.

  Gregory B. Sadler - That Philosophy Guy

• So you want young people to resist the times.

• So I think that we have to resist pessimism.

• Yet the world community would be wise to resist the dramatic headlines of water wars.

  Academic text (2008)

• Moreover, it involves building the capacity of the state to resist those powerful oil-based interests.

  Academic text (1999)

• Students of varied backgrounds and knowledge often resist efforts to collaborate with peers on key learning outcomes.

  Academic text (2015)

• No, you must resist!

  Happy Feet (2006)

• "We uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and resist all efforts to censor library resources."

  Academic text (2015)

Synonyms

F

to fight

vsto resist

∞ 1.0

To try hard to oppose or overcome something difficult

can include milder refusal or passive opposition, not always struggle

R

to reject

vsto resist

760 1.9

Refuse to accept someone or something

also covers active opposition, not only rejecting acceptance

O

to oppose

vsto resist

610 2.9

To be against something and try to stop it

is broader, also including simple refusal or acting against change

P

to protest

vsto resist

383 3.2

To show strong disagreement in public, often by joining a march or strike

also covers private refusal or subtle opposition without public display

G

to go against

vsto resist

300 3.3

To act against a rule, law, or popular opinion

includes that action but also covers general refusal or opposition

F

to fight back

vsto resist

262 3.3

Resist an attack or criticism by responding

includes opposition but also nonretaliatory forms like simple refusal

D

to defy

vsto resist

220 3.7

Openly refuse to obey someone or seem to resist a force like time

can be quieter or private opposition rather than an open challenge

H

to hold out

vsto resist

194 3.7

To refuse to give up until you get what you want

may be immediate opposition rather than long ongoing persistence

W

to withstand

vsto resist

138 4.2

To resist strong or harmful force without breaking

focuses on acting against something rather than simply enduring it

D

to disobey

vsto resist

113 3.7

To refuse to follow rules or orders from someone in charge

covers broader opposition beyond just failing to follow commands

B

to boycott

vsto resist

86 4.2

To refuse to buy, use, or take part in something to protest

is any form of opposition, not only collective consumer refusal

R

to rebel

vsto resist

80 4.1

To act against the government or people in power

also covers small-scale refusal, not only major upheaval

P

to protest against

vsto resist

66 3.6

To show in public that you strongly disagree with something

can be simple opposition without the goal of public change

B

to balk

vsto resist

• US

38 7.4

To hesitate or refuse to do something

may involve decisive opposition rather than initial hesitation or doubt

S

to stand firm

vsto resist

28 3.7

Keep your decision or opinion when others try to make you change

also covers refusal but not only stubborn maintenance of a decision

S

to stand up against

vsto resist

26 3.7

To resist a person or rule that treats people unfairly

covers opposition in any situation, not only unjust pressure

R

to revolt

vsto resist

26 4.9

Rise up against a government or ruler

is broader, including individual or small-scale acts against rules

R

to refuse

vsto resist

13 9.2

To be hard to explain or understand

is straightforward opposition or refusal rather than elusive behaviour

K

to kick against the pricks

vsto resist

• Archaic

1 9.9

To resist authority in a way that is useless and makes things worse

is practical opposition that may avoid pointless or harmful rebellion

Antonyms

A

to accept

996 1.3

To believe or agree that something is true

S

to surrender

452 4.4

To stop fighting and give control or things to someone else, often when forced

C

to comply

245 3.8

Do what a rule or person asks

Idioms

H

hard to resist

11 3.2

So attractive you cannot say no

Phrasal Verbs

C

to couldn't resist

50 3.7

Not be able to stop yourself from doing something because you really want it

Compounds

N

Ni-resist iron

• Specialized

8.0

A cast iron with nickel that resists heat and corrosion

How Resistant

to defy

220 3.7

to rebel

80 4.1

to resist

350 2.2

to object

318 5.1

to question

932 3.5

Surface Forms

Etymology