resistance

noun

ri-ˈzi-stən(t)s How to pronounce resistance (audio)
Definition of resistancenext
1
as in opposition
the inclination to resist after some initial resistance, the city council warmed up to the proposed development plan

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in underground
a secret organization in a conquered country fighting against enemy forces soldiers from the resistance were captured after a skirmish outside the foreign ministry

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of resistance That uncertainty has been a driving force behind much of the resistance to it among his constituents. — John Aguilar, The Denver Post, 20 Mar. 2025 Amid the resistance, Tesla cars and property have been targeted and torched across the United States in apparent retaliation. — Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025 The footage shows where each of the main players is when the dystopian Gilead saga returns and introduces an all-out war on the horizon, as June (Moss) leads a resistance of rage against Gilead for justice. — Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Mar. 2025 The final season of The Handmaid’s Tale will also find Samira Wiley’s Moira joining June and Luke in the resistance, while Commander Lawrence (Bradley Whitford) and Aunt Lydia (Ann Down) reckon with their pasts and roles in propping up the Republic of Gilead. — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for resistance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for resistance
  1. opposition
  2. underground
  3. objection
Noun
  • Trump is stoking that populist stance to root out ideological opposition to his agenda and undercut public employee unions, a key base of political support for Democrats, Kettl said.
    — Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Its most notable member is France’s National Rally, a once-marginal party that is now the main opposition force in the EU’s second-largest economy.
    — Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of opposition
Noun
  • Their instantly arresting look pulled from David Bowie’s androgyny and the drag-culture underground in New York.
    — August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Gordon, who is also a health and wellness coach, has spent the last five-plus years in the psychedelic underground working primarily with people who experience chronic pain.
    — Christine Ricciardi, Boston Herald, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of underground
Noun
  • The Missouri Senate on Monday easily approved a state takeover plan for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department over the objections of the city's mayor and local senators.
    — arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Many Israelis see Gazan emigration as a good idea but not practical There has been little vocal objection from prominent opposition politicians in Israel.
    — Daniel Estrin, NPR, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of objection

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“Resistance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resistance. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on resistance

Nglish: Translation of resistance for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about resistance

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