resistance
re·sist·ance / riˈzistəns/ • n. 1. the refusal to accept or comply with something; the attempt to prevent something by action or argument: she put up no resistance to being led away. ∎ armed or violent opposition: government forces were unable to crush guerrilla-style resistance. ∎ (also re·sist·ance move·ment) [in sing.] a secret organization resisting authority, esp. in an occupied country. ∎ (the Resistance) the underground movement formed in France during World War II to fight the German occupying forces and the Vichy government. Also called maquis. ∎ the impeding, slowing, or stopping effect exerted by one material thing on another: air resistance would need to be reduced by streamlining.2. the ability not to be affected by something, esp. adversely: some of us have a lower resistance to cold than others. ∎ Med. & Biol. lack of sensitivity to a drug, insecticide, etc., esp. as a result of continued exposure or genetic change.3. the degree to which a substance or device opposes the passage of an electric current, causing energy dissipation. Ohm's law resistance (measured in ohms) is equal to the voltage divided by the current. ∎ a resistor or other circuit component that opposes the passage of an electric current.PHRASES: the line (or path) of least resistance an option avoiding difficulty or unpleasantness; the easiest course of action.