1
as in resisting
opposed to something or refusing to agree or obey
The toddler was resistant to trying vegetables. His parents were set in their ways and resistant to the changes brought about by technology.
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2
as in persistent
having or showing determination to do or continue something
The resistant athletes did not give up even when they were losing the game. He was quite resistant, able to bounce back after even large setbacks in his career.
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as in challenger
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of resistant
Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 7 Feb. 2026
Type 2 Diabetes Type 2 diabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn't produce enough to regulate glucose (blood sugar) levels.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 6 Feb. 2026
White America was resistant in many places to integration and equality.
—Literary Hub, 6 Feb. 2026
Pests and Problems When given proper care, skeleton flowers are generally resistant to pests and diseases.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for resistant
Adjective
Lofton stressed that some foods cause the body to become insulin resistant, which can lead to hunger, brain fog, and mental health issues.
—Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 7 Feb. 2026
Type 2 Diabetes Type 2 diabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn't produce enough to regulate glucose (blood sugar) levels.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 6 Feb. 2026
White America was resistant in many places to integration and equality.
—Literary Hub, 6 Feb. 2026
Pests and Problems When given proper care, skeleton flowers are generally resistant to pests and diseases.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for resistant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for resistant
Adjective
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Witters attributed that persistent pessimism to political partisanship.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
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During his tenure, Massachusetts education leaders faced a mix of progress and persistent challenges.—
State House News Service,
Boston Herald,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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From the beginning, a mayoral run would have been a risky move for Horvath, who is not expected to face any major challengers to her own bid for reelection.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
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But challengers Marcos Vélez, a Houston labor leader, and political newcomer Courtney Head say three decades of Democratic statewide losses demand a break from the past and a new generation of leadership.—
Karen Brooks Harper,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Drone soccer requires pilots to maneuver spherical drones through an opposing goal.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
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Opponent-process theory, refined in the seventies by the psychologists Richard Solomon and John Corbit, holds that the body balances out the high of a drug with the opposing force of a comedown or a withdrawal.—
Dhruv Khullar,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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If that doesn’t solve the problem, try scrubbing stubborn spots with Bar Keeper’s Friend and a nonabrasive sponge.—
Jessica Elliott,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
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Rusk recommends using wash and styling products that don’t contain silicones (like dimethicone), which can cause a stubborn coating to accumulate that clogs follicles on the scalp and prevents the hair from absorbing moisturizing ingredients.—
Rebecca Strong,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Sherrill focused many of her critiques on ICE and Trump’s immigration policies, positioning the state as a major resister of Trump’s deportation plans.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Jan. 2026
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There’s also no strategic plan or national campaign in place that assures nonviolent resisters that their involvement is part of a grand strategy.—
Michael Shank,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The report warned that neglect is often minimized within the child welfare system, where it can be conflated with poverty and social workers may be reluctant to penalize poor or minority parents who are juggling multiple jobs.—
Julia Prodis Sulek,
Mercury News,
7 Feb. 2026
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The video drew a strong response from Republican lawmakers, who often are reluctant to criticize the leader of their party.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Both readings were less than anticipated, in a positive sign for consumers.—
Steve Kopack,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
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And participating in sports that emphasize body functionality over physical appearance can have a positive effect on athletes’ overall well-being.—
Emily Hemendinger,
The Conversation,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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This brought back family gossip and hesitant bits of information about my mother’s beloved grandfather, my maternal great-grandfather.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Feb. 2026
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That statistic underlines just how hesitant companies have become to acquire indie projects.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Resistant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resistant. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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