resist

/rɪˈzɪst/ (bre, ipa) · /rɪˈzɪst/ (ame, ipa) · /ri-ˈzist/ (ame, mw)

resist — verb

  • resistpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • resistshe / she / it
  • resistedpast simple
  • resisting-ing form

1. to use physical force or action to oppose someone or something that is trying to

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to use physical force or action to oppose someone or something that is trying to attack or defeat you

例句

The farmers resisted the army's attempt to take over their land.

resist + [person/organisation] (transitive)

Selim tried to resist the two men who grabbed his wallet on the train.

try to resist + [person]

同義詞
  • oppose

    broader term; can be verbal or non-physical, while resist suggests physical force

  • fight back

    more active — includes counterattacking, not just withstanding

  • withstand

    focuses on enduring or surviving an attack without necessarily fighting back

反義詞
  • surrender

    stop fighting and give up

  • yield

    allow the attacker to take control

文法句型

resist + noun phrase

resist + -ing form

resist (intransitive)

用法筆記

Transitive when the object is the attacker or the attack itself. Intransitive when the focus is on the act of defending with no specific object stated.

常見錯誤

❌He resisted a group of attackers and was injured.
✅He fought off a group of attackers and was injured.
💡'resist' is defensive; if you also attack back, use 'fight off' instead.

2. to stand firm against something that tries to change or harm you — whether a new

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to stand firm against something that tries to change or harm you — whether a new law you disagree with, social pressure, or a natural force such as floodwater or heat

例句

Local residents resisted the new road construction by signing a petition.

resist + plan/proposal (civic action)

Nikhil resisted the pressure from his classmates to copy their homework.

resist + pressure/influence

同義詞
  • withstand

    focuses on enduring or surviving without being harmed; used more for objects and physical forces

  • defy

    more dramatic and deliberate; suggests open refusal or challenge

  • stand up to

    phrasal verb; informal, emphasises courage in the face of pressure

反義詞
  • accept

    agree to receive something willingly

  • embrace

    welcome or accept enthusiastically

文法句型

resist + noun phrase

resist + -ing form

用法筆記

Often used with abstract objects (pressure, change, temptation) or physical forces (weather, wear). The subject can be a person, group, or object.

常見錯誤

❌The coat resisted rain.
✅The coat is water-resistant / resists water.
💡'resist' as a verb is transitive and needs an object; the adjective 'water-resistant' is more natural for describing materials.

3. to manage a strong internal desire toward something enjoyable that you know you

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

to manage a strong internal desire toward something enjoyable that you know you should not do — for instance, not eating dessert when on a diet, or not laughing at a serious moment

例句

Sumin could not resist checking her phone when it buzzed during class.

cannot resist + gerund

Justin tried to resist buying another video game, but the discount was too good.

try to resist + gerund

同義詞
反義詞
  • give in

    stop resisting and allow yourself to do what you wanted

  • succumb

    formal; yield to a strong desire or pressure

文法句型

cannot resist + -ing form

resist the urge/temptation to + infinitive

用法筆記

This sense is almost always followed by a gerund (-ing form) or a noun phrase like 'the urge' or 'the temptation' plus to-infinitive. It describes an internal struggle with one's own desires, not an external force.

常見錯誤

❌I resisted to eat the cake.
✅I resisted eating the cake.
💡'resist' is followed by a gerund (-ing), not a to-infinitive.
❌I resisted the temptation to not laugh.
✅I resisted the temptation to laugh.
💡'resist' already carries the idea of stopping yourself; adding 'not' creates a double negative.

resist — noun