"Resist" vs. "withstand": when to use each word

Reviewed and edited by

Lloyd Cooper 01/08/2025, 13:48

English.me team member

Resist and withstand. What's the difference?

What is similar?

Both words refer to the act of enduring or opposing something, often pressure, force, or unwanted influence.

What is different?

Resist often emphasizes active opposition or refusal to give in, sometimes involving effort or struggle, while withstand typically means to endure or survive something without being changed or harmed, without necessarily implying active opposition.

Which one is more common?

Examples of usage

Resist

She tried to resist the temptation to eat the cake.
The soldiers resisted the enemy's attack for several days.

Withstand

The bridge was built to withstand strong earthquakes.
His body could not withstand the strain of the illness.