/ rɪˈzɪst; NAmE / verb
1.
to refuse to accept sth and try to stop it from happening
SYN oppose :
[ vn ]
to resist change
They are determined to resist pressure to change the law.
[ v -ing ]
The bank strongly resisted cutting interest rates.
[also v ]
2.
to fight back when attacked; to use force to stop sth from happening :
[ v ]
He tried to pin me down, but I resisted.
[ vn ]
She was charged with resisting arrest .
3.
(usually in negative sentences) to stop yourself from having sth you like or doing sth you very much want to do :
[ vn ]
I finished the cake. I couldn't resist it .
I found the temptation to miss the class too hard to resist.
[ v -ing ]
He couldn't resist showing off his new car.
[also v ]
4.
[ vn ] to not be harmed or damaged by sth :
A healthy diet should help your body resist infection.
This new paint is designed to resist heat.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French resister or Latin resistere , from re- (expressing opposition) + sistere stop (reduplication of stare to stand).