resilient

adjective

re·​sil·​ient ri-ˈzil-yənt 

: characterized or marked by resilience: such as

a

: capable of withstanding shock without permanent deformation or rupture

b

: tending to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change

a resilient local economy

resiliently adverb

Synonyms of resilient

• flexible
• stretch
• plastic

Choose the Right Synonym for resilient

elastic, resilient, springy, flexible, supple mean able to endure strain without being permanently injured.

elastic implies the property of resisting deformation by stretching.

an elastic waistband

resilient implies the ability to recover shape quickly when the deforming force or pressure is removed.

a resilient innersole

springy stresses both the ease with which something yields to pressure and the quickness of its return to original shape.

the cake is done when the top is springy

flexible applies to something which may or may not be resilient or elastic but which can be bent or folded without breaking.

flexible plastic tubing

supple applies to something that can be readily bent, twisted, or folded without any sign of injury.

supple leather

Examples of resilient in a Sentence

The tallow tree, an ornamental species introduced by Benjamin Franklin in 1772, can quickly grow to 10 metres and is resilient to many pests. —New Scientist, 19-25 Aug. 2006

In this affecting and eloquent account of the Dew family members' attempts to come to terms with the homosexuality of the elder son … Stephen emerges as a remarkably resilient and self-aware young man. —Genevieve Stuttaford, Publishers Weekly, 18 Apr. 1994

Scientists are trying to figure out how the complex structure of such crystals and polymers and their interactions on the molecular level lead to resilient materials like sea shells, teeth and bones. —JoAnn Shroyer, Quark, Critters and Chaos, 1993

Old roses are tough and resilient; they may be a little loose and blowzy … but the fact remains, these bushes want to live. —Beverly Lowry, New York Times Book Review, 3 Dec. 1989

Hot-dipped nails have a resilient, thick zinc jacket that withstands more of the perils of a nail's life. —Jim Locke, The Apple Corps Guide to the Well-Built House, 1988

The local economy is remarkably resilient.

after being dipped in liquid nitrogen, the rubber ball's normally resilient surface is as brittle as ceramic

Recent Examples on the Web

Joel Edgerton stars as resilient logger Robert, who wrestles with tragedy in the Pacific Northwest. —Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 28 Nov. 2025

Compact clean power Founded in 2023, Stellaria aims to drive reindustrialization by providing a clean, resilient, and scalable nuclear energy source for the modern era. —Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 28 Nov. 2025

Shoppers nonetheless have remained resilient and willing to spend, at least judging by the solid quarterly sales reports from Walmart, Best Buy and other retailers. —Arkansas Online, 28 Nov. 2025

Singapore pushes forward According to the 2025 GTCI report, Singapore clinched first place due to the constant evolution of its educational system, and its focus on nurturing an adaptive and resilient workforce. —Angelica Ang, Fortune, 27 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin resilient-, resiliens, present participle of resilire to jump back, recoil, from re- + salire to leap — more at sally

First Known Use

1674, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for resilient

• brilliant

Kids Definition

resilient

adjective

re·​sil·​ient ri-ˈzil-yənt 

: characterized or marked by resilience

resiliently adverb

Etymology

from Latin resilient-, resiliens, present participle of resilire "to jump back, rebound," from re- "back, again" and salire "to leap, spring" — related to assault, insult, somersault

Medical Definition

resilient

adjective

re·​sil·​ient -yənt 

: characterized or marked by resilience