Resist vs. withstand: what’s the difference?
The short answer
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.
What they have in common
Both words refer to the act of enduring or opposing something, often pressure, force, or unwanted influence.
Examples
resist
- She tried to resist the temptation to check her phone.
- 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.
Which one is more common?
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