resilient

/rɪˈzɪliənt/

Say it: ri-ZIL-yuhnt

1. adjective Able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions, adversity, or shock.
Despite losing her job, her resilient spirit helped her find a new opportunity within weeks.
2. adjective Of a substance or object, able to spring back into shape after bending, stretching, or being compressed.
The memory foam mattress is highly resilient and returns to its original form instantly.

📖 Seen in the wild

Despite facing numerous setbacks, the community proved remarkably resilient in rebuilding after the disaster.
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✏️ resilient in a sentence

The local economy proved surprisingly resilient to the downturn.
Children are often more resilient than adults think, adapting quickly to new situations.
We need to build more resilient infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather events.
He was a resilient leader, bouncing back from every political defeat with renewed determination.
This type of flooring is known for being durable and resilient, making it perfect for high-traffic areas.
Her buoyant and resilient personality made her a favorite among her friends.
The company's resilient business model allowed it to thrive even during the pandemic.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

tough hardy flexible strong buoyant durable adaptable supple

tough · focuses more on enduring hardship without breaking

hardy · often used for people, plants, or animals that can survive harsh conditions

flexible · emphasizes the ability to bend and adapt rather than break

strong · a more general term for the ability to withstand pressure

Opposites: fragile, brittle, vulnerable, delicate, weak

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'resilient' leaps right out of its Latin roots. It comes from 'resilire', meaning 'to leap back' or 'rebound', which is a combination of 're-', meaning 'back', and 'salire', meaning 'to jump'. This original sense of a physical rebound is still present when we talk about materials, but its most common use now is for the metaphorical 'bouncing back' from hardship.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

resilient spiritresilient economyemotionally resilientremarkably resilientresilient to shocks

'Resilient' carries a strong positive connotation, suggesting an admirable ability to overcome adversity. While 'strong' or 'tough' can sometimes imply a rigid or unfeeling nature, 'resilient' suggests flexibility and the capacity for recovery and growth. It is widely used not just for people, but also for systems, economies, and ecosystems, referring to their ability to absorb disturbances and reorganize while retaining their essential function.

Word family: resilience, resiliently

💬 Quick answers

What does it mean to be a resilient person?

A resilient person can recover quickly from setbacks, adapt well to change, and persevere in the face of adversity. It's the psychological strength to bounce back from stress or trauma.

What's the difference between 'resilient' and 'strong'?

'Strong' means being able to withstand force or pressure, while 'resilient' specifically implies the ability to recover after being bent, stressed, or damaged. A ceramic plate is strong, but not resilient; a rubber ball is both.

Is 'resilient' a formal word?

Resilient is a neutral word that is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly used in psychology, business, and everyday conversation.

What is the noun for resilient?

The noun form is 'resilience', which refers to the quality or capacity of being resilient.

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