re·sis·tance
ri-ˈzi-stən(t)s 
plural resistances
1
a
: an act or instance of resisting : opposition
b
: a means of resisting
2
: the power or capacity to resist: such as
a
: the inherent ability of an organism to resist harmful influences (such as disease, toxic agents, or infection)
b
: the capacity of a species or strain of microorganism to survive exposure to a toxic agent (such as a drug) formerly effective against it
3
: an opposing or impeding force
4
a
: the opposition offered by a body or substance to the passage through it of a steady electric current
b
: a source of resistance
5
: a psychological defense mechanism wherein a patient rejects, denies, or otherwise opposes the therapeutic efforts of a psychotherapist
6
often capitalized
: an underground organization of a conquered or nearly conquered country engaging in sabotage and secret operations against occupation forces and collaborators
: of, relating to, or being exercise involving pushing or pulling against a source of resistance (such as a weight) to increase strength
resistance training
Synonyms
Examples of resistance in a Sentence
Noun
They have shown a stubborn resistance to change.
The troops met heavy resistance as they approached the city.
The paint shows good weather resistance.
Over time the patient could develop a resistance to the drug.
Recent Examples on the Web
Nora Colomer, Fox News, 7 Sep. 2024
Examples of wartime tax resistance can be found throughout U.S. history, and perhaps the most famous occurred during World War II, when President Roosevelt vetoed the Revenue Act of 1943, insisting that it was riddled with indefensible giveaways.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024
That makes both key points of resistance that must be overcome.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 6 Sep. 2024
Despite the initial resistance, by the time the cameras were rolling everyone was ready to strut their stuff.
—K.j. Yossman, Variety, 5 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for resistance 
Noun
This piece of exercise equipment uses gravity and your body weight to create resistance for Total Resistance Exercises, which strengthens the core, improves balance and increases flexibility.
—Nora Colomer, Fox News, 7 Sep. 2024
Examples of wartime tax resistance can be found throughout U.S. history, and perhaps the most famous occurred during World War II, when President Roosevelt vetoed the Revenue Act of 1943, insisting that it was riddled with indefensible giveaways.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024
That makes both key points of resistance that must be overcome.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 6 Sep. 2024
Despite the initial resistance, by the time the cameras were rolling everyone was ready to strut their stuff.
—K.j. Yossman, Variety, 5 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for resistance
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'resistance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near resistance
Cite this Entry
“Resistance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resistance. Accessed 11 Sep. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
resistance
noun
re·sis·tance
ri-ˈzis-tən(t)s
1
a
: power or capacity to resist
especially
: the inherent ability of an organism to resist harmful influences (as disease, toxic agents, or infection)
b
: the capacity of a species or strain of microorganism to survive exposure to a toxic agent (as a drug) formerly effective against it due to genetic mutation and selection for and accumulation of genes conferring protection from the agent especially as a result of overuse of the agent which selectively destroys individual microorganisms lacking the protective genes
2
a
: the opposition offered by a body to the passage through it of a steady electric current
b
: opposition or impediment to the flow of a fluid (as blood or respiratory gases) through one or more passages see vascular resistance
3
: a psychological defense mechanism wherein a psychoanalysis patient rejects, denies, or otherwise opposes therapeutic efforts by the analyst
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