Resist: meaning, definitions and examples

Typically used when someone is trying to avoid or refuse something, especially when it comes to temptation or pressure.

• She tried to resist eating the chocolate cake.
• He couldn't resist the urge to check his phone.

Used when someone is expressing disapproval or disagreement with something, often in a formal or organized manner.

• Many people oppose the new law.
• The council members voted to oppose the proposal.

Used when someone is openly challenging authority or ignoring rules, often with a sense of boldness or bravery.

• The young student decided to defy the school dress code.
• She defied her parents and went on the trip anyway.

Used when referring to the ability to endure or remain unaffected by something, often physical forces or pressures.

• The building was designed to withstand earthquakes.
• He could withstand the cold due to his thick coat.

Used in contexts involving fighting or battling against something usually in a physical or metaphorical sense. Often related to serious, organized efforts.

• The government is taking steps to combat climate change.
• The soldiers were trained to combat the enemy.

As mentioned earlier, use this when someone is actively trying to prevent something from happening or refusing to accept it.

• The villagers decided to resist the unfair taxes
• He tried to resist the urge to check his phone

This is usually employed when describing a group or force that is against opposing strategies or ideas, typically in a political, social, or competitive context.

• The new policy faced strong opposition from the public
• His idea encountered opposition from his colleagues

This is used when something is physically blocking a path or making an activity difficult or impossible. It often implies a negative connotation.

• There was an obstruction on the highway that caused a major traffic jam
• A fallen tree created an obstruction on the hiking trail

Use this to describe something that makes progress, movement, or achieving something more difficult but not necessarily stops it completely.

• His stutter was an impediment to his career as a public speaker
• The heavy snow was an impediment to their travel plans