resistance
Pluralresistances (some meanings)
- 1Acting against something, or the power to push back against it.
Like pushing back when someone tries to move you.
The plan met strong resistance from local families.
Her body built up resistance to the cold over time.
UsageSay resistance to something. People put up resistance.
Similaropposition
Oppositeacceptance, support, submission, susceptibility
Note
- 2A secret group that fights to free its country from an occupying force.
Like a hidden team working in secret to take back their home.
Fighters in the resistance smuggled food past enemy checkpoints.
She joined the resistance after soldiers occupied her town.
UsageUsually the resistance: she joined the resistance.
Similarunderground, insurgency, partisans
Note
- 3A force that pushes against something moving and slows it down.
Like trying to walk through deep water that pushes back on your legs.
Air resistance slows a falling leaf as it drifts down.
The swimmer felt the resistance of the water against her arms.
UsageOften air resistance or wind resistance.
Note
- 4How strongly a wire or other part of a circuit slows down the flow of electricity through it.
Copper wire has very low resistance, so electricity flows easily.
The thin filament's high resistance makes it heat up and glow.
Oppositeconductance
Note
Practice
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Origin
It comes from Latin "resistentia," and is made from "resist" plus "-ance."
Checked 7 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- Resistance ultimately comes from Latin resistentia. en.wiktionary.org
- Resistance is morphologically resist plus -ance. en.wiktionary.org