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
John Delury, Foreign Affairs, 3 June 2025
These roles are often in healthcare, education, and human services, and are largely recession resistant and continue to see growing demand, especially with our aging population and social care needs rising.
—Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
As human rights grew as an important organizing concept in the 1960s and the 1970s around the world, U.S. presidents were largely resistant to incorporating it into U.S. foreign policy decision-making.
—Time, 21 May 2025
These small, yellow tomatoes are resistant to some diseases and grow well in hanging baskets (try them on your front porch!).
—Heather Bien, Southern Living, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for resistant
Noun
North Korea’s political old guard may be resistant to change, but Kim need point no further than China and Vietnam to show how ruling parties in communist states can retain power while encouraging rapid economic growth.
—John Delury, Foreign Affairs, 3 June 2025
These roles are often in healthcare, education, and human services, and are largely recession resistant and continue to see growing demand, especially with our aging population and social care needs rising.
—Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
As human rights grew as an important organizing concept in the 1960s and the 1970s around the world, U.S. presidents were largely resistant to incorporating it into U.S. foreign policy decision-making.
—Time, 21 May 2025
These small, yellow tomatoes are resistant to some diseases and grow well in hanging baskets (try them on your front porch!).
—Heather Bien, Southern Living, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for resistant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for resistant
Adjective
-
Declining growth in the fashion division and the Asia-Japan geography seems to be a common denominator for both luxury groups, but these results signal a downturn that is persistent and increasingly difficult to dismiss, likely hinting to a deeper issue.—
Clara Ludmir,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
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The persistent low percentages of Black and Indigenous students at UT and the hyper-partisan politics at the state and federal levels add importance and a sense of sacredness to this community that Adeeko and others want to protect.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
Adjective
-
The fizzing reaction can help remove stubborn residues.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
27 July 2025
-
Beneath its surface were deep, dark scars—grooves cut through the rock by old lava flows, now overgrown with stubborn green.—
Tess Moormans,
Travel + Leisure,
27 July 2025
Noun
-
Among the resisters is a small but growing group of veterans, like Tamir, who openly express dissent and outrage.—
Ruth Margalit,
New Yorker,
14 May 2025
-
Many war resisters, or draft dodgers as they were often called by others, were not interested in returning when Mr. Carter made his amnesty offer.—
Ruth Fremson,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
Adjective
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Knowing why people are reluctant to come back is just as critical as deciding how to bring them back.—
Dr. Adil Dalal,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
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What To Know Real estate agents who spoke to Redfin said buyers are becoming reluctant to finalize purchases due to economic uncertainties, in particular high mortgage rates, the potential impacts of tariffs, inflation and the possibility of a recession in the near future.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 July 2025
Adjective
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This incident comes after her previous legal troubles, including a positive marijuana test at the 2021 U.S. Olympic trials that prevented her from competing at the Tokyo Olympics.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Aug. 2025
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By developing healthy habits from the start, students can impact their physical and mental health in positive ways and use challenges as opportunities to build resilience.—
Micki Meyer,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Teams are more hesitant, understandably so, given the penalties, to spend a bundle of money.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
31 July 2025
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Investors might become hesitant to pay an even higher premium, particularly given the substantial capital expenditure Microsoft is directing towards AI initiatives.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Adjective
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His face was resolute across the table in a room full of reporters.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
29 July 2025
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The Club World Cup trophy is also spending time in the Oval Office; it could be seen there Tuesday not far from the resolute desk.—
Ian Swanson,
The Hill,
20 June 2025
Noun
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The attackers were members of the Islamist Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a sanctioned rebel group with roots in Uganda.—
Paul Tilsley,
FOXNews.com,
31 July 2025
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth divulged classified information in March from battlefield commanders about the U.S. attack on Houthi rebels in a chat on the commercial messaging app Signal, according to a U.S. official.—
Tom Vanden Brook,
USA Today,
24 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Resistant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resistant. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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