Meaning & use
tamper resistant
Last updated
Meaning
adjectivenot comparable
made or designed so that it is difficult for someone to change, open, or damage it without permission
Grammar: Used before a noun: tamper-resistant packaging. It is not usually used after a verb like 'be'.
Patterns
- tamper-resistant packaging
- tamper-resistant screws
- tamper-resistant seal
The medicine comes in tamper-resistant packaging to keep children safe.
These screws are tamper-resistant, so you need a special tool to remove them.
The new meters have a tamper-resistant cover to stop people from changing the readings.
Common combinations
- tamper-resistant packaging
- Tamper-resistant packaging makes it harder for someone to put something harmful in the product.
- tamper-resistant screws
- The public bathroom uses tamper-resistant screws to prevent vandalism.
- tamper-resistant seal
- Check the tamper-resistant seal before you open the bottle.
Synonyms and how they differ
- tamper-proof
- Tamper-proof suggests it is impossible to tamper with, while tamper-resistant means it is just very difficult.
- secure
- Secure is a general word for safe from attack; tamper-resistant is more specific to preventing physical interference.
Opposites
Word family
- tamper verb
- to interfere with something in a harmful or unauthorized way
- tamper-resistant adjective
- designed to resist tampering
Commonly confused: tamper resistant or tamper-proof?
tamper resistant vs tamper-proof
Tamper-proof means cannot be tampered with at all; tamper-resistant means it is difficult but not impossible.
Practice
The label on the bottle says the cap is tamper-resistant. What does that mean?
Choose one answer.
Tamper-resistant means it is made to resist or show tampering. It does not mean easy to open, made of glass, or child-friendly.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “tamper resistant”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.