resistance - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
resistance Word Meanings
- the ability to oppose something
- a force that opposes motion
- an act of fighting against something
resistance Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
resistance Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/rɪˈzɪs.təns/
US
/rɪˈzɪs.təns/
resistance Word Etymology
resist = stand back + ance = state or quality. Latin *resistentia → Old French résistance → English resistance. Picture a strong wall standing firm against a flood, symbolizing both physical and metaphorical strength against any challenge.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I set my hand on a heavy door and push, feet braced, breath steady. The door holds its ground, a stubborn resistance that won’t yield with one shove, and I shift my weight to brace and turn the handle. I feel my arms warm, the effort changing from casual to precise, and I keep nudging, adjusting my grip until the door gives a crack. That push, that hold against the stubborn air, makes me notice how resistance shows up whenever I try to move against a wall, in work, in life, in small choices.
Real Context
Resistance is the ability to oppose or withstand something. It covers physical cases, such as a material's resistance to electrical current or friction, and metaphorical uses, like resisting temptation or political resistance to oppression. The word traces back to resist and ance, and it often appears with adjectives like strong, passive, or popular resistance. In many contexts it implies both active striving and the inherent opposition of forces: a power plant's electrical resistance and a citizen's resistance to unfair laws. Note that resistance can be neutral, positive, or negative depending on perspective and outcome.
Usage Reminders
- Use resistance to describe physical or psychological opposition.
- Differentiate resistance from persistence or insistence.
- When talking science, pair it with current, voltage, and Ohm’s law.
- In social contexts, treat resistance as organized opposition or noncooperation.
- Remember it can refer to a level, a act, or a quality of opposing something depending on context.
Common Misconceptions
- Resistance is only about fighting; it can be passive or indirect.
- Resistance and resistance to electricity are the same thing in all contexts.
- Resistance always means something positive or heroic.
- Resistance is the opposite of compliance in every case.
- Resistant and resistance are used interchangeably; they are not.
Thinking Differences
In English, resistance spans physical, biological, and social meanings, often with neutral to negative connotations depending on stance; learners commonly mix up electrical resistance with general opposition or confuse resistant with resilience.
Learning Tips
- Link resistance across contexts (physics, biology, politics).
- Learn common collocations: electrical resistance, resistance to temptation, resistance movements.
- Differentiate noun, verb (resist), and adjective (resistant).
- Use simple diagrams for physics meanings (Ohm's law).
- Practice with synonyms like opposition, barrier, and defiance.
- Check the subject's perspective to infer neutral/positive/negative connotation.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of 'resistance'?
A.Ability to accept change
B.Force exerted to stop movement
C.State of happiness
D.Act of generosity
Step 2: Usage
Which sentence uses 'resistance' correctly?
A.She showed resistance to eat the cake.
B.His resistance to study led to poor grades.
C.The resistance of the material was tested in the lab.
D.We encountered resistance weather on our trip.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'resistance'?
A.Acceptance
B.Persistence
C.Agreement
D.Adaptation
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'resistance'?
A.Acceptance
B.Compliance
C.Submission
D.Surrender
Step 5: Mastery
Can you give an example of a real-life scenario of 'resistance'?
A.Fighting against an oppressive regime
B.Exercising daily to improve fitness
C.Adjusting to a new job quickly
D.Volunteering at a local charity
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