resistance
gb/ɹɪzˈɪstəns/ us/ɹɪzˈɪstəns/
B1
English
~ 2300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
action
1
refusal to accept or obey
When you try not to follow or accept something, like a rule or idea.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s resistance to [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'resistance' with 'reluctance'; reluctance is hesitation, while resistance is active opposition.
Synonyms
opposition (A general term for disagreement or resistance, often in political or social contexts.)
Antonyms
compliance (Means agreeing to or following rules or demands, the opposite of resisting them.)
Collocations
strong resistance
|offer resistance
|face resistance
|resistance to change
|armed resistance
Themes
society
|politics
|conflict
|law
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The workers showed strong resistance to the new policy.
- There was little resistance from the community when the project began.
- Her resistance to the plan delayed its implementation.
- The rebels organized armed resistance against the occupying forces.
Learner examples
- He showed resistance to the new rules.
- The people gave resistance to the law.
- She had resistance to the plan.
- They made strong resistance.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
2
force that slows movement
A force that stops or slows movement or flow.
Usage pattern:
[something] meets/encounters resistance
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'resistance' (opposition to movement) with 'friction'—friction is a type of resistance between solid surfaces.
Synonyms
drag (Specifically refers to air or fluid resistance to motion.)
Antonyms
conductance (In electricity, refers to how easily current flows, opposite of resistance.)
Collocations
air resistance
|electrical resistance
|low resistance
|high resistance
Themes
science
|physics
|engineering
|technology
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The car's design reduces air resistance.
- Electrical resistance increases as the wire gets hotter.
- The swimmer faced strong water resistance.
Learner examples
- Air resistance slows the ball.
- The wire has high resistance.
- Water resistance makes swimming harder.
Noun
B1
property
3
ability to fight off harm
The power to stay safe from harm, illness, or damage.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something]'s resistance to [something harmful]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'resistance' with 'endurance'; endurance is lasting through hardship, not necessarily avoiding harm.
Synonyms
immunity (Specifically refers to biological protection against disease.)
Antonyms
susceptibility (Means being easily affected by something harmful.)
Collocations
build resistance
|lowered resistance
|natural resistance
|resistance to infection
Themes
health
|biology
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Regular exercise can improve your resistance to illness.
- The plant has a high resistance to drought.
- Stress can lower your body's resistance.
Learner examples
- He has good resistance to cold.
- This plant has resistance to bugs.
- Her body has low resistance now.
Grammar
Dictionary form
resistance
IPA
GB/ɹɪzˈɪstəns/
US/ɹɪzˈɪstəns/
Syllables & stress
res - ist - ance (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ist)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: resistance
- Plural: resistance, resistances
Word family
Forms
resistances
noun
Related words
resistor
noun
Negative and opposite forms
irresistible
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
irresistibly
adverb B2
Expressions
meet with resistance
1/mˈit wˈɪθ ɹɪzˈɪstəns/
fixed phrase
to face opposition from others
To find that people do not want what you are doing and try to stop it.
Examples
- The new policy met with strong resistance from employees.
- His ideas often meet with resistance in traditional circles.
put up resistance
1/pˈʊt ˈʌp ɹɪzˈɪstəns/
fixed phrase
to actively oppose
To try hard to stop something from happening or being done.
Examples
- The villagers put up strong resistance against the invaders.
- She put up no resistance when asked to leave.
show resistance
1/ʃˈoʊ ɹɪzˈɪstəns/
fixed phrase
to display opposition
To act in a way that makes it clear you do not agree and will not follow something.
Examples
- The committee showed little resistance during negotiations.
- Students showed resistance to the dress code changes.