What does resorting mean?
Resorting means turning to a particular method, action, or source of help, usually because more desirable or straightforward alternatives are unavailable. The phrase “resort to” commonly describes measures that are practical but undesirable, such as force, deception, or extreme action, although it can also be used neutrally when describing a sensible fallback. For example, a government might resort to emergency powers during a crisis, while a traveler might resort to a dictionary when a phrase is unfamiliar. As a present participle of resort, “resorting” can appear after the auxiliary “be,” as in “They were resorting to increasingly creative explanations,” or directly before a noun, as in “resorting to extreme measures.” It is a useful word because it identifies the moment when a decision changes from preference to necessity, often carrying a slight implication of compromise, desperation, or reluctant practicality.
verbThe present participle of resort: turning to or using something as a means of achieving an end, especially when other options are limited or unavailable. It is usually used in the construction “resort to” followed by a noun, verb, or gerund.
- To turn to or use something, especially an undesirable but available alternative.
- To resort to a particular kind of behavior or action when other possibilities are unavailable.
"With no other alternatives, the negotiators resorted to a temporary compromise."
"The company resorted to temporary closures after the supply chain was disrupted."
"When persuasion failed, he resorted to writing a personal appeal."
Resorting is what diplomacy does when its preferred options run out.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does resorting come from?
The word “resort” comes through Old French resortir from Latin resortare, a verb meaning “to return to” or “to have recourse to.” Its present-participle form “resorting” follows the normal English pattern of adding “-ing” to the verb. The Latin root is related to other words connected with choosing or drawing lots, including “assort,” “assortment,” and “consort.”
How resorting is actually used
Usually formal or neutral in tone, though it can sound strategic or disparaging when the action implied is undesirable. The standard pattern is “resort to” rather than “resort in” or “resort at.” As a present participle, it can also appear before a noun, as in “resorting to extreme measures.”
Easily confused with resorting
“Resorting” means turning to an alternative, whereas “resource” refers to something that can be used to achieve an aim or a source of support.