resists

VERB

withstand, oppose

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abide combat confront continue curb defy endure forgo maintain prevent refuse repel thwart turn down

STRONG

antagonize assail assault battle bear brook buck check contend counteract countervail dispute duel forbear hinder hold persevere persist refrain remain stay stonewall suffer traverse weather

WEAK

abstain from die hard fight back hold off hold out against keep from leave alone put up a fight remain firm stand up to struggle against

Antonyms

STRONGEST

OK accept aid allow assist discontinue encourage help stop surrender

STRONG

abandon advance agree cease desert give in give up go indulge leave permit quit reject

WEAK

comply conform go along

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Because water resists compression, pulling the plunger creates increasing resistance.

From Science Daily • May 13, 2026

While Cal resists this parental rigidity, the two do share something fundamental that threatens their community’s long-held foundations.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

The epic resists resolution, and Mr. Armitage honors that resistance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

But when a team resists that, it can lead to nervy performances and questions about the style of play.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

“The world resists me and I resist the world,” I said.

From "Grendel" by John Gardner