resort

1 of 3

noun

re·​sort ri-ˈzȯrt How to pronounce resort (audio)
Synonyms of resortnext
1
a
: one that affords aid or refuge : resource
went to them as a last/final resort
b
: recourse sense 1a
—often used with to
The police hope to end the standoff without resort to force.
2
a
: frequent, habitual, or general visiting
a place of popular resort
b
: persons who frequent a place : throng
c(1)
: a frequently visited place : haunt
(2)
: a place designed to provide recreation, entertainment, and accommodation especially to vacationers : a community or establishment whose purpose or main industry is catering to vacationers

resort

2 of 3

verb (1)

resorted; resorting; resorts

intransitive verb

1
: to go especially frequently or habitually : repair
2
: to have recourse
resolve the crisis without resorting to violence

re-sort

3 of 3

verb (2)

(ˌ)rē-ˈsȯrt How to pronounce re-sort (audio)
re-sorted; re-sorting; re-sorts

transitive verb

: to sort again

Synonyms of resort

Relevance

Noun

Verb (1)

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for resort

resource, resort, expedient, shift, makeshift, stopgap mean something one turns to in the absence of the usual means or source of supply.

resource and resort apply to anything one falls back upon.

exhausted all of their resources
a last resort

expedient may apply to any device or contrivance used when the usual one is not at hand or not possible.

a flimsy expedient

shift implies a tentative or temporary imperfect expedient.

desperate shifts to stave off foreclosure

makeshift implies an inferior expedient adopted because of urgent need or allowed through indifference.

old equipment employed as a makeshift

stopgap applies to something used temporarily as an emergency measure.

a new law intended only as a stopgap

Examples of resort in a Sentence

Noun Our first resort was to go to the police. the island port was once the resort of smugglers, pirates, and other unsavory characters Verb (1) unable to achieve their ends politically, some of the opposition groups have begun to resort to violence resorted to the library whenever he felt the need for a little peace and quiet
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
The rooms are spread out along the hillside, so be prepared for a steep walk, or call for a golf cart ride to the resort’s facilities. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026 Three outdoor swimming pools and complimentary daily yoga classes give the property a resort feel. — Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Verb
PrettyGarden’s ruffle maxi dress is an easy pick for all of the vacation dinners, resort happy hours, and even destination summer weddings on your calendar. — Aashna Gheewalla, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026 To survive these transformations, rich states have resorted among other things to the ever greater exploitation, not only of poor states, but also of the human and ecological capital housed within them. — Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
Verb
In many parts of the country, the divide between red and blue has prompted a re-sorting in which moving states has seemed simpler to tens of thousands of people than changing the party in charge. — Scott Wilson, Anchorage Daily News, 15 Sep. 2023 If Congress cuts Medicaid funding to states to help extend tax cuts, dental care for adults could be one of the first casualties as legislators and governors re-sort priorities and try to make do with less. — Maya Goldman, Axios, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for resort

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, return, source of aid, from Anglo-French, from resortir to rebound, resort, from re- + Old French sortir to go out, leave

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1836, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of resort was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing resort

Rhymes for resort

See All Rhymes for resort

Browse Nearby Words

resorption border
resort
re-sort
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Cite this Entry

“Resort.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resort. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

resort

1 of 2 noun
re·​sort ri-ˈzȯ(ə)rt How to pronounce resort (audio)
1
a
: someone or something that is looked to for help
a last resort
b
: recourse sense 1
have resort to force
2
a
: frequent, habitual, or general visiting
a place of popular resort
b
: a frequently visited place : hangout
c
: a place providing recreation and entertainment especially to vacationers
a ski resort

resort

2 of 2 verb
1
: to go especially frequently or habitually
2
: to turn to for aid, relief, or advantage
resort to violence

More from Merriam-Webster on resort

Nglish: Translation of resort for Spanish Speakers

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