resistant

resistant — adjective

1. describing someone who is not willing to accept new ideas, changes, or suggestio

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

describing someone who is not willing to accept new ideas, changes, or suggestions, often because they prefer things as they are.

Example

Hugo was resistant to moving to a new school, though his friends had already left.

be resistant to + noun phrase

Some team members were resistant to the new software because the old system worked fine.

be resistant to + gerund

Common collocations
  • resistant to change
  • resistant to new ideas
  • resistant to reform
  • resistant to suggestions
  • deeply resistant
  • initially resistant
Synonyms
  • opposed

    Stronger and more active — implies vocal or visible objection, while 'resistant' can be passive.

  • reluctant

    Describes hesitation rather than active refusal; a milder attitude.

  • defiant

    More confrontational and deliberate; suggests open refusal to obey.

  • unwilling

    General lack of desire to do something; less specific to change or authority.

Antonyms
  • receptive

    Open and willing to consider new ideas — the direct opposite.

  • accepting

    Willing to take in new information or change without objection.

Grammar Patterns

be resistant to + noun

be resistant to + gerund

Usage Note

Frequently followed by the preposition 'to' — not 'against' or 'with'. The object is typically a noun or gerund representing an idea, proposal, or change.

Common Mistakes

She is resistant with change.
She is resistant to change.
The correct preposition after 'resistant' in this sense is always 'to.'
The employees were resistant against the new rules.
The employees were resistant to the new rules.
Use 'to,' not 'against,' even though the meaning involves opposition.

2. describing something that is able to withstand damage, infection, or other negat

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

describing something that is able to withstand damage, infection, or other negative forces without being easily harmed.

Example

Hassan bought a jacket resistant to rain and wind for the mountain trail.

be resistant to + noun (environmental condition)

Some bacteria have become resistant to common antibiotics, making infections harder to treat.

collocation: become resistant to

Common collocations
  • resistant to disease
  • resistant to heat
  • resistant to damage
  • water-resistant
  • fire-resistant
  • heat-resistant
  • become resistant to
  • highly resistant
Synonyms
  • immune

    Stronger — implies complete protection, often in medical contexts; 'resistant' allows partial protection.

  • impervious

    More formal and absolute; suggests nothing can penetrate or affect the thing.

  • hardy

    Used mainly for plants or people enduring physical conditions; less formal.

Antonyms
  • vulnerable

    Easily harmed or affected — the direct opposite.

  • susceptible

    Likely to be affected by something, especially disease or damage.

Grammar Patterns

be resistant to + noun

[noun]-resistant (compound)

Usage Note

Often appears in compound adjectives joined by a hyphen, such as 'water-resistant', 'fire-resistant', 'heat-resistant', 'disease-resistant'. The preposition 'to' is used when the compound is unpacked: 'resistant to water'.

Common Mistakes

This material is resistant of heat.
This material is resistant to heat.
'Resistant' always takes 'to', not 'of' or 'from.'
The plant is very resistant for cold weather.
The plant is very resistant to cold weather.
Use 'to' after 'resistant' regardless of what follows.

resistant — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All five words describe a negative stance toward something, but they differ in intensity and action. 'Resistant' is the broadest — it covers both active opposition and passive refusal to accept change ('resistant to the new schedule'). 'Opposed' is stronger and more explicit: an opposed person states their objection openly ('strongly opposed to the plan'). 'Reluctant' is milder and focuses on hesitation rather than refusal ('reluctant to speak up'). 'Defiant' is confrontational and public, often involving a deliberate breaking of rules ('defiant protest against the curfew'). 'Unwilling' simply states a lack of desire without the nuance of resistance or opposition. Choose 'resistant' when the person does not engage with the change; 'opposed' when they voice disagreement; 'reluctant' for hesitation; 'defiant' for open challenge; and 'unwilling' for a straightforward lack of willingness.

resistant ↗opposed ↗reluctant ↗defiant ↗unwilling ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • highly resistant
  • strongly resistant
  • completely resistant
  • deeply resistant
  • initially resistant

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

'Resistant' comes from the Latin verb 'resistere' — a combination of 're-' (against) and 'sistere' (to stand, to take a position). It entered English through Old French 'résistant' in the 1500s, first as an adjective describing something that fights back or offers opposition. The noun form developed later in the 1600s for a person who opposes authority. Over time, 'resistant' broadened from military and political opposition to cover physical materials, diseases, and personal attitudes.