resilience
noun
re·sil·ience
ri-ˈzil-yən(t)s 
1
: the capability of a body to recover its size and shape after deformation caused especially by compressive stress
the resilience of rubber
Cold temperatures caused the material to lose resilience.
2
: an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change
The rescue workers showed remarkable resilience in dealing with the difficult conditions.
Analysts pointed to consumer confidence as a sign of the economy's resilience.
Examples of resilience in a Sentence
… the concert remained a remarkable tribute to Dylan's resilience and continued relevance.
—
Susan Richardson, Rolling Stone, 15 Dec. 1994
He squeezed the rubber with a clamp and then released it—demonstrating with this painfully simple experiment that the material lost its resilience and therefore its ability to flex rapidly enough to protect the rocket joint from tumultuous hot gases.
—James Gleick, New York Times Book Review, 13 Nov. 1988
With amazing resilience the two tribes pulled together and set out to found a new town farther up the river.
—Carolyn Gilman, American Indian Art Magazine, Spring 1988
It is really wonderful how much resilience there is in human nature. Let any obstructing cause, no matter what, be removed in any way, even by death, and we fly back to first principles of hope and enjoyment.
—Bram Stoker, Dracula, 1897
The rescue workers showed remarkable resilience in dealing with the difficult conditions.
Cold temperatures caused the material to lose resilience.
Susan Richardson, Rolling Stone, 15 Dec. 1994
He squeezed the rubber with a clamp and then released it—demonstrating with this painfully simple experiment that the material lost its resilience and therefore its ability to flex rapidly enough to protect the rocket joint from tumultuous hot gases.
—James Gleick, New York Times Book Review, 13 Nov. 1988
With amazing resilience the two tribes pulled together and set out to found a new town farther up the river.
—Carolyn Gilman, American Indian Art Magazine, Spring 1988
It is really wonderful how much resilience there is in human nature. Let any obstructing cause, no matter what, be removed in any way, even by death, and we fly back to first principles of hope and enjoyment.
—Bram Stoker, Dracula, 1897
The rescue workers showed remarkable resilience in dealing with the difficult conditions.
Cold temperatures caused the material to lose resilience.
Recent Examples on the Web
The company positions the technology as a support tool for resilience and readiness, especially in roles that demand sustained alertness.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Jan. 2026
Utilities should start budgeting for resilience projects now and explore grants, partnerships and regional collaborations to share costs.
—Bob Maliva, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
The coral gardens were full of life, a promising sign of nature’s resilience.
—Gisela Williams, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2026
But Spoelstra said that even just two years in, and only 21, Ware already has exhibited some needed resilience.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for resilience
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Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Jan. 2026
Utilities should start budgeting for resilience projects now and explore grants, partnerships and regional collaborations to share costs.
—Bob Maliva, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
The coral gardens were full of life, a promising sign of nature’s resilience.
—Gisela Williams, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2026
But Spoelstra said that even just two years in, and only 21, Ware already has exhibited some needed resilience.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for resilience
Cite this Entry
“Resilience.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resilience. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
resilience
noun
re·sil·ience
ri-ˈzil-yən(t)s
1
: the ability of a body to regain its original size and shape after being compressed, bent, or stretched : elasticity
2
: the ability to recover from or adjust to misfortune or change
Medical Definition
resilience
noun
re·sil·ience
ri-ˈzil-yən(t)s
1
: the capability of a strained body to recover its size and shape after deformation caused especially by compressive stress
2
: an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change
emotional resilience
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