'hypnosis-resistant' originates from Modern English as a compound of 'hypnosis' (from Greek 'hypnos' meaning 'sleep' through 19th-century medical coinage) and 'resistant' (from Latin 'resistere' via Old French/Latin-derived English 'resistant').

'hypnosis-resistant' is a modern compound formed from 'hypnosis' and 'resistant'. 'hypnosis' itself was coined in the mid-19th century (notably by James Braid and other early researchers) from Greek 'hypnos' 'sleep' + the suffix '-osis'; 'resistant' comes from Latin 'resistere' ('to stand back, oppose') and passed into Old French before entering Middle/Modern English as 'resistant'.

Initially the components referred to 'sleep-related condition or trance' ('hypnosis') and 'opposition' ('resistant'); combined, the compound has meant 'showing resistance to hypnosis' since its formation and has retained that specific sense.