resistant

1 of 2

adjective

re·sis·tant ri-ˈzi-stənt

Synonyms of resistant

: giving, capable of, or exhibiting resistance

—often used in combination

wrinkle-resistant clothes

a drug-resistant strain of virus

resistant

2 of 2

Examples of resistant in a Sentence

Adjective These plants are resistant to cold temperatures. He became resistant to the medication.

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.

Adjective

Drug-resistant infections kill more than a million people each year. — Zoë Schiffer, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2026 Like many of the pioneers who would go on to inspire the genre, Hysterical Love Project are resistant to being boxed in as trip-hop at all. — Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 27 Oct. 2026 Because of this limitation, even the emergence of an antibiotic-resistant strain won’t necessarily spark a new pandemic, Wagner says, noting that such strains have already shown up in Madagascar. — Faye Flam, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2026 According to a new feature in The New York Times, the paint company PPG has seen sales of its fireproof and rust-resistant gray paint triple in the last year. — Julia Black, Vanity Fair, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for resistant

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1548, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of resistant was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Resistant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resistant. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

resistant

adjective

re·sis·tant

ri-ˈzis-tənt

: giving, capable of, or showing resistance

—often used in combination

wrinkle-resistant clothes

Medical Definition

resistant

adjective

re·sis·tant

variants also resistent

-tənt

: giving, capable of, or exhibiting resistance

—often used in combination

a drug-resistant strain of virus

resistant

adjective

noun

Examples of resistant in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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Medical Definition

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resistant

adjective

noun

Examples of resistant in a Sentence

Word History

Phrases Containing resistant

Rhymes for resistant

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on resistant

More from Merriam-Webster

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