French word

résister

Pronunciation

IPA/ʁeziste/

Meaning

  • verbresist

Example

Il résiste à la pression.

He resists the pressure.

Illustration for résister (resist)

More examples

Elle résiste à la tentation de manger des sucreries.

She resists the temptation to eat sweets.

Core concept

A person stays upright while physical or unseen pressure pushes against them.

Common phrases

  • résister à la tentation

    resist the temptation

  • résister à la pression

    resist pressure

  • résister au changement

    resist change

Similar words

s'opposer: To oppose something through words or actions.
supporter: To put up with hardship or discomfort.
tolérer: To accept something unpleasant without objecting or acting against it.
affronter: To confront a difficulty or dangerous situation directly.

Definition in French

Tenir bon contre une contrainte physique, morale ou sociale.

Word origin

French résister comes through Old French from Latin resistere, formed from re- meaning 'back' or 'against' and sistere meaning 'to stand'.

Usage tips

  • French normally uses à after résister, as in résister à une pression or résister à une tentation, unlike English resist with a direct object.

Other meanings

  • withstandverb
  • endureverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word