noun

resistance

rih-ZIS-tuns/rɪˈzɪstəns/

Opposition to a force that would produce change.

The woman's resistance to the offered cigarette is clear in her raised palm.

A woman visibly refuses a cigarette being offered to her, raising a firm stop palm and leaning away while the other woman extends the cigarette toward her.

Etymology

reLatinagainst

+sistLatintake a stand, stand firm

+anceMedieval Latinaction or state

Standing firm against something becomes a noun naming opposition. The word also developed the sense of a capacity to withstand, linking refusal to obey with not being affected.

In context

The People Profiles38:17

a British French expeditionary force opened a front in the north of the country but it only managed to offer limited resistance in the weeks that followed before withdrawing

Vidkun Quisling - The Traitor Who Sold Norway to Hitler Documentary

More examples

The door opens with little resistance.
She faces resistance when she suggests changing the family routine.
Public resistance delays the city's plan to close the library.

Forms

resistance

resist verb — Oppose or withstand a force or influence.

resistant adjective — Opposing or remaining unaffected by something.

Similar words

opposition: Emphasizes disagreement with a plan, policy, person, or group.
defiance: Suggests open, bold refusal to obey authority or demands.
objection: Usually expresses a specific reason for opposing a proposal.