resistant
B2Formal / Neutral
Definition
Meaning
Opposing or withstanding something; not easily affected or damaged by something.
Describing a person, material, or organism that is able to prevent or withstand the effects of a harmful force, influence, or substance.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as an adjective following a noun with a preposition (e.g., resistant to). Can function as a standalone adjective (e.g., a resistant strain). The noun 'resistance' is more frequent.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Minor spelling variations in derivatives (e.g., BrE: resister, AmE: resister/resistor for electronics).
Connotations
Identical connotations of opposition or imperviousness in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in technical/scientific contexts (e.g., medicine, materials science).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[be/become] resistant TO somethingresistant TO [noun/-ing]noun-resistant (compound adjective)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Noun]-resistant (e.g., bullet-resistant, idiot-resistant)”
- “resistant to change/idea/suggestion (describing a person's attitude)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Describes markets or customers unwilling to adopt new products, or materials with specific durability properties.
Academic
Frequent in medical (antibiotic-resistant bacteria), biological (pest-resistant crops), and materials science (corrosion-resistant alloys) literature.
Everyday
Used for describing fabrics, materials, or attitudes (e.g., stain-resistant sofa, resistant to new ideas).
Technical
Precise term for describing the ability of a material or organism to withstand a specific agent or condition.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The new variety of wheat is more resistant to fungal diseases.
- He's highly resistant to any changes in the morning routine.
American English
- This paint is mold-resistant and perfect for bathrooms.
- She was surprisingly resistant to the salesperson's pitch.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This jacket is water-resistant.
- Some plants are resistant to cold weather.
- The bacteria became resistant to the antibiotic.
- He is very resistant to new ideas.
- The new alloy is highly resistant to corrosion and extreme temperatures.
- Despite the evidence, the community remained resistant to the proposed changes.
- The pathogen's rapidly evolving, multidrug-resistant strains pose a grave public health threat.
- Their corporate culture was curiously resistant to the disruptive innovations sweeping the industry.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of RE-SIST-ant. You SIT again (RE-SIST) firmly in place, opposing a force pushing you to move.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESISTANCE IS A WALL/SHIELD (e.g., 'a wall resistant to erosion', 'a shield resistant to blows').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'resistant' meaning 'persistent' or 'stubborn' in a general personality sense. It implies opposition/withstanding a specific force.
- The adjective often requires the preposition 'to', not 'from' (resistant TO pressure).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'resistant of' instead of 'resistant to'.
- Using it as a noun (incorrect: 'He is a resistant'; correct: 'He is a resister' or 'He is resistant').
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'resistant' used INCORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Resistant' means able to prevent or withstand the effect of something (focus on opposition). 'Resilient' means able to recover quickly from difficulties or spring back into shape (focus on recovery/elasticity).
Rarely and not in standard modern usage. The noun is 'resistance' for the abstract concept or 'resister' for a person who resists. 'Resistant' is primarily an adjective.
The preposition 'to' is used: resistant to heat, resistant to change.
It means 'designed to resist or be impervious to' the noun it follows, e.g., 'fire-resistant doors' are doors designed to resist fire.
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