How to pronounce resistance
Say it like rih-ZIS-tuns. Resistance has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ZIS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce resistance. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- rih
- ZIS
- tuns
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Resistance pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- rihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ZISSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- tunsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of resistance
American and British speakers say resistance in essentially the same way: /rɪˈzɪstəns/ in the US and /rɪˈzɪstəns/ in the UK.
British respelling: rih-ZIS-tuns.
What does resistance mean?
- the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with“he encountered a general feeling of resistance from many citizens”“despite opposition from the newspapers he went ahead”
- any mechanical force that tends to retard or oppose motion
- a material's opposition to the flow of electric current; measured in ohms
Where does resistance come from?
From earlier resistence, from Middle English resistence, from Old French resistence, from Latin resistentia.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with resistance
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of resistance.
Questions about saying resistance
How do you pronounce resistance?
Say rih-ZIS-tuns. The American pronunciation is /rɪˈzɪstəns/. In British English it is /rɪˈzɪstəns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in resistance?
Resistance has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ZIS). Broken into parts: rih · ZIS · tuns.
Do Americans and Brits say resistance the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /rɪˈzɪstəns/ and the British form is /rɪˈzɪstəns/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.