What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
resist
Example
She tried to resist the temptation to eat the cake. [resist: verb]
Example
The material is designed to resist water damage. [resist: verb]
Example
The citizens resisted the new law by staging a protest. [resisted: past tense]
oppose
Example
I oppose the idea of cutting down the trees in the park. [oppose: verb]
Example
The workers opposed the new policy by going on strike. [opposed: past tense]
Example
The two teams will oppose each other in the championship game. [oppose: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Resist is more commonly used in everyday language, while oppose is more commonly used in formal or academic contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between resist and oppose?
Oppose is generally considered more formal than resist, and it can have a more negative or confrontational connotation. Resist, on the other hand, can have a more neutral or positive connotation and is more versatile in terms of formality level.
