riz-IS-tuhnt
/ɹɪˈzɪstənt/
resistant is pronounced riz-IS-tuhnt (/ɹɪˈzɪstənt/). Resistant is an adjective describing someone or something that withstands or opposes something, or a material that does not easily bear or allow a given influence. It can also describe a stance of opposition or a biological or mechanical fortitude against a force, disease, or treatment. The core idea is persistent opposition or impermeability under pressure.
Resistant is an adjective describing someone or something that withstands or opposes something, or a material that does not easily bear or allow a given influence. It can also describe a stance of opposition or a biological or mechanical fortitude against a force, disease, or treatment. The core idea is persistent opposition or impermeability under pressure.
"The metal remained resistant to corrosion after years of exposure to saltwater."
"She adopted a resistant attitude toward changing her routine, reluctant to try new methods."
"The bacteria showed resistant traits to common antibiotics, complicating treatment."
Pronounce it as /rɪˈzɪstənt/ in US and UK, with the primary stress on the second syllable: ri-ZIS-tant. The initial 're-' is light, the 'sis' contains a short i vowel, and the final 'tant' ends with a clear -t sound. Begin with a light /r/, then /ɪ/ as in 'sit', then /ˈzɪs/ cluster, and finish with /tənt/ where the /ə/ is a schwa and the final /nt/ is released. For Australian, you’ll hear /rəˈzɪstənt/ with a slightly less tense first vowel and a more rhotic closing, but the stress pattern remains the same.
Common errors: (1) Slurring the middle syllable into a quick /ˈrɪzˌɪstənt/ with weak stress; (2) Misplacing stress, saying ri-ZIS-tent with first syllable stress; (3) Pronouncing the final -t as a soft 'd' or muffling it. Correction: keep the stress on the second syllable /ˈzɪs/ and clearly articulate the final /t/ as a voiceless stop. Drill the sequence /rɪ/ - /ˈzɪs/ - /tənt/ with equal energy and a crisp final consonant.
In US/UK, primary stress on the second syllable /rəˈzɪstənt/ or /rɪˈzɪstənt/. US tends to reduce vowels in unstressed syllables more aggressively, whereas UK tends to keep a slightly crisper /ɪ/ in the first syllable. Australian adds a more rhotic-ish quality for some speakers, with /rəˈzɪstənt/ and a broader vowel in /ə/ positions. In all cases, maintain the /z/ and /t/ clarity and avoid turning the second syllable into a diphthong.
The difficulty lies in articulating the cluster /ˈzɪs/ quickly and keeping the middle syllable distinct without reducing it, while also delivering a crisp final /t/. The sequence /z/ to /s/ can cause a slide if the tongue is not positioned correctly. Practice with exaggerated, then normalized enunciation to avoid misplacing the /t/ and to keep the two sibilants distinct.
Ensure the sequence of sounds stays tight: /r/ + /ɪ/ + /ˈzɪ/ + /stə/ + /nt/. The tip is to articulate the middle /zɪs/ with the tongue lightly touching the alveolar ridge, then roll into the /tənt/ with a clean stop consonant. Visualize a quick, even pulse from the onset of /r/ through the /t/ to keep the cadence steady.
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The adjective resistant derives from the verb resist, which comes from Middle English resistien, from Old French resister, from Latin resistere, meaning to stand back, oppose, or withstand. The Latin resistere is a composite of re- ‘back, again’ + sistere ‘to cause to stand, to set up, to halt.’ The English form resistance, noun form, and adjectives like resistant emerged in the late Middle English/early Modern English periods as scientific and medical vocabularies expanded. Throughout the 16th–19th centuries, resistance acquired nuanced uses in physics (electrical resistance), chemistry (chemical resistance), biology (antibiotic resistance), and social-political contexts (resistance to authority). In modern usage, resistant frequently denotes durability or opposition under pressure, or biological capability to withstand antimicrobial agents. The word’s core semantic development centers on the idea of standing against a force, preserving integrity or denying influence, with specialized senses in technology and medicine becoming prominent in the 20th century.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "resistant" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "resistant" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "resistant"
-ent sounds
-nce sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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