resistance
B2Formal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
The act or power of opposing, refusing, or fighting against something or someone.
The ability not to be affected by something, especially adversely; also, an underground organization fighting a ruling power, or the impeding force in electrical circuits.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The core sense involves active or passive opposition. In physics and engineering, it refers to a measurable property (electrical, thermal, air). Historically and politically, it is capitalized when referring to specific organizations (e.g., the French Resistance).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Spelling is identical. Usage slightly more frequent in US political discourse (e.g., 'resistance movement').
Connotations
Equally strong connotations of defiance and opposition in both varieties.
Frequency
Very high frequency in both, with comparable usage across genres.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
resistance to (something)resistance against (someone/something)resistance from (someone)put up/offer resistanceVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the path of least resistance”
- “a pocket of resistance”
- “line of least resistance”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Meeting resistance from the board to the proposed merger.
Academic
The study measured bacterial resistance to the new antibiotic.
Everyday
She put up no resistance when they suggested pizza.
Technical
A resistor's value is measured in ohms of resistance.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- 'Resist' is the verb form, as in 'They will resist the new policy.'
American English
- 'Resist' is the verb form, as in 'We have to resist the temptation.'
adverb
British English
- 'Resistingly' is archaic and not used. Use phrases like 'without resistance'.
- 'Resistantly' is very rare.
American English
- No standard adverb. Use 'in a resistant manner' or rephrase.
adjective
British English
- 'Resistant' is the adjective, as in 'The material is heat-resistant.'
American English
- 'Resistant' is the adjective, as in 'These weeds are herbicide-resistant.'
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The box is strong and has good resistance to water.
- He felt some resistance when he pushed the door.
- The new policy met with a lot of resistance from employees.
- She has low resistance to colds and gets ill often.
- The invaders faced stiff armed resistance from the local militia.
- Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health concern.
- Her quiet resistance to the corporate directive eventually led to a review of the procedures.
- The electrical circuit's total resistance must be calculated to determine the correct fuse rating.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of REsisting an assailant – RE + SIST + ANCE. You SIST (stand) AGAIN (re-) to create RESISTANCE.
Conceptual Metaphor
OPPOSITION IS A FORCE/BARRIER (e.g., 'break down resistance', 'wall of resistance').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation with 'резистентность' for all contexts. Use 'сопротивление' for general/physical opposition, 'устойчивость' for non-physical endurance (e.g., disease). 'Resistance movement' is 'движение Сопротивления'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'resistance of' instead of 'resistance to' (e.g., 'resistance to change', not 'resistance of change'). Confusing 'resistance' (noun) with 'resistant' (adjective).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'resistance' used in a technical, non-human sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Resistance' often implies a more active, forceful, or organised effort to stop something. 'Opposition' can be more general, including verbal disagreement or political rivalry without active fighting.
Primarily uncountable (e.g., 'There was resistance'). It can be countable when referring to specific types or groups (e.g., 'antibiotic resistances', 'various resistances').
'To' is the most common preposition (e.g., resistance to change, resistance to antibiotics). 'Against' and 'from' are also used, often with more active, human subjects.
It is an idiom meaning the easiest course of action, the one that avoids conflict or difficulty.
Collections
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Advanced Communication
C1 · 47 words · Sophisticated language for professional communication.
Social Theory
C1 · 47 words · Advanced vocabulary for sociology and social science.
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