resistance
resistance — noun
1. behaviour that shows you will not give in to an attacker, a controlling authorit
behaviour that shows you will not give in to an attacker, a controlling authority, or an idea you disagree with — ranging from direct confrontation to quiet refusal
Vikram met the bullying from senior staff with quiet resistance, refusing to be intimidated.
collocation: meet something with resistance
The proposed highway cuts faced strong resistance from local farmers who would lose their land.
collocation: strong resistance / face resistance
Trang showed little resistance when the nurse asked her to roll up her sleeve for the vaccine.
Resistance to the new policy softened after the town hall meeting addressed everyone's concerns.
The soldiers encountered stiff resistance as they moved deeper into the valley.
- opposition
more general; can describe disagreement without active fighting
- defiance
stronger tone; often implies open, bold refusal
- rebellion
implies organized, large-scale opposition to authority
- acceptance
willing agreement rather than opposition
- submission
giving in to authority without protest
文法句型
resistance + to + noun/gerund
show/meet/offer resistance
用法筆記
Frequently used with the prepositions 'to' or 'from' to indicate what is being opposed. Can describe active fighting or passive non-compliance.
常見錯誤
2. a physical force that pushes against a moving object, reducing how fast it can g
a physical force that pushes against a moving object, reducing how fast it can go or making it harder to move
Wind resistance slows down a cyclist on a long, open road.
collocation: wind resistance
Push the boat harder — the water resistance here is stronger than I expected.
Rodrigo felt the resistance of the heavy oak door as he tried to open it.
The car's rounded shape is designed to reduce air resistance and save fuel.
When you swim, your whole body pushes against the resistance of the water.
- propulsion
the force that drives an object forward
- thrust
forward-driving force, opposite of drag
文法句型
[adjective] + resistance
resistance of + noun
用法筆記
Commonly modified by a noun describing the medium creating the opposing force: wind resistance, water resistance, air resistance. Often combined with verbs like 'overcome', 'reduce', or 'push against'.
3. a measurement of how much a material slows down or blocks the flow of electricit
a measurement of how much a material slows down or blocks the flow of electricity through it, usually expressed in ohms
Copper wires have very low resistance, so electricity flows through them easily.
collocation: low / high resistance
Mizuki measured the resistance of the new circuit using a digital multimeter.
measured with a multimeter
Rubber has such high electrical resistance that it is used to coat cables for safety.
If the resistance in the extension cord is too high, the heater will not get enough power.
The technician calculated the total resistance before connecting the new battery to the system.
- impedance
broader electrical term that includes resistance plus reactance; more technical
- insulation
refers to the material or property that blocks current, not a measurement
- conductivity
the degree to which a material allows electricity to flow through it
文法句型
have/offer + [high/low] + resistance
resistance of + [measurement]
用法筆記
Often contrasted with 'conductivity' — high resistance means poor conductivity. Measured in ohms (Ω). In everyday language, 'high resistance' means the material blocks electricity; 'low resistance' means it lets electricity pass.
常見錯誤
4. a secret group of people who work together against an occupying army or an unjus
a secret group of people who work together against an occupying army or an unjust government, often hiding their activities from the authorities
During the war, Caleb joined the local resistance to fight against the occupying army.
join + the resistance
Members of the resistance hid food and medical supplies for escaped prisoners in the forest.
The resistance movement grew stronger as more ordinary citizens refused to cooperate.
Hannah's great-grandmother was a radio operator for the French Resistance during the conflict.
The resistance published secret pamphlets to share information that the government had banned.
- underground
shorter form with the same meaning; 'the underground'
- guerrilla movement
specifically refers to armed groups that fight using hit-and-run tactics
- insurgency
often implies an active rebellion against a government, not necessarily secret
- collaboration
working with the enemy or occupying force
文法句型
the + resistance
join/be part of + the resistance
用法筆記
When capitalised as 'the Resistance', this sense often refers to specific historical movements (e.g., the French Resistance in WWII). Frequently appears with verbs like 'joined', 'formed', or 'supported'.
5. the natural ability of a living body to fight illness, prevent infection, or pro
the natural ability of a living body to fight illness, prevent infection, or protect itself from harmful substances
Evelyn's doctor said her body's resistance was low after the long illness.
The overuse of antibiotics has led to a worrying rise in drug resistance among bacteria.
collocation: drug resistance / antibiotic resistance
A balanced diet and regular sleep help build up your natural resistance to common colds.
Some strains of the virus have developed resistance to the standard vaccine.
Mathieu takes vitamin C each winter to boost his resistance against the seasonal flu.
- vulnerability
being easily affected by illness or harmful agents
- susceptibility
the lack of ability to resist infection or disease
文法句型
resistance + to + noun
build up / develop + resistance
用法筆記
In medical contexts, 'drug resistance' or 'antibiotic resistance' refers to bacteria or viruses that stop responding to standard treatments. 'Build up resistance' means strengthening the immune system over time.
常見錯誤
resistance — adjective
1. describes a type of physical exercise where muscles push or pull against a weigh
describes a type of physical exercise where muscles push or pull against a weight, a stretchy band, or another opposing force to become stronger
Élise added resistance bands to her daily workout for stronger leg muscles.
collocation: resistance bands
Resistance training three times a week can improve your bone density and posture.
collocation: resistance training
Ziad bought a set of resistance tubes for strength exercises at home.
The physiotherapist gave Eli a gentle resistance routine to rebuild his shoulder after the injury.
Using light resistance weights is a safe way for beginners to start building muscle.
文法句型
resistance + [exercise/training/band/weight]
用法筆記
Only used before a noun that names the type of equipment, exercise, or program. Common fixed combinations include 'resistance training', 'resistance bands', and 'resistance exercise'. Never used predicatively (❌ 'This exercise is resistance').