RESISTANCE Synonyms: 20 Similar and Opposite Words

resistance

noun

ri-ˈzi-stən(t)s

Definition of resistance

as in opposition

the inclination to resist after some initial resistance, the city council warmed up to the proposed development plan

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in underground

a secret organization in a conquered country fighting against enemy forces soldiers from the resistance were captured after a skirmish outside the foreign ministry

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of resistance After three or four weeks, a gentle tug on the stem should meet resistance, indicating that the cutting has rooted. — Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 30 Aug. 2026 This was followed by the creation of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) on July 22 to handle espionage and resistance agents, and the first raids were already being carried out. — David Szondy august 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026 This combination matters because a transistor that survives high voltage but wastes large amounts of energy through resistance would still be of limited use. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026 But according to emails obtained by the I-Team, implementing the programs in some districts has been met with resistance or reluctance. — Kelsy Mittauer, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for resistance

Recent Examples of Synonyms for resistance

Noun

Despite some opposition from a handful of progressives and hardline conservatives, the stopgap measure, which the Senate already approved in a bipartisan vote in August, overwhelmingly passed the House, too.

— Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
In a key development, CSU dropped its opposition to the bills after resisting past efforts out of concern that far less costly community college degrees could siphon students from its campuses.

— Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of opposition

Noun

Since the late 1990s, taxpayers have been funding a program to stash extra Colorado River water underground, with the idea that it could be used as a backup in times of shortage.

— Alex Hager, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026
On Facebook, discussion groups foster the feeling of a countercultural underground.

— Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of underground

Noun

The sale has drawn objections from the flight attendants union and a software firm that says some of the data isn’t Spirit’s to sell.

— Jeff Kleinma, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
Collins, Scott, and Whitmer spent much of the past year and a half framing their objections as cautionary.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of objection

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resist

resistance

resistances

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“Resistance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resistance. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of resistance

noun

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