resilience

noun

re·sil·ience | \ ri-ˈzil-yən(t)s

Definition of resilience

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

Using Resilience Outside of Physics Example Sentences Learn More about resilience

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Using Resilience Outside of Physics

In physics, resilience is the ability of an elastic material (such as rubber or animal tissue) to absorb energy (such as from a blow) and release that energy as it springs back to its original shape. The recovery that occurs in this phenomenon can be viewed as analogous to a person's ability to bounce back after a jarring setback. Author P. G. Wodehouse took note of this when he wrote: "There is in certain men … a quality of resilience, a sturdy refusal to acknowledge defeat, which aids them as effectively in affairs of the heart as in encounters of a sterner and more practical kind." The word resilience derives from the present participle of the Latin verb resilire, meaning "to jump back" or "to recoil." The base of resilire is salire, a verb meaning "to leap" that also pops up in the etymologies of such sprightly words as sally and somersault.

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Alongside messages addressing shame and resilience. — Krystin Arneson, Glamour, "Everything Khloé Kardashian Has Said About the Tristan Thompson Cheating Scandal," 17 Mar. 2019 Click to Read Story Your Lonely Child’s Path to a Happier Life New research shows that rejection has a deeper impact than previously thought on children, but parents can steer them toward resilience. — Sue Shellenbarger, WSJ, "Remember, It’s Their College Years, Not Yours," 16 Mar. 2019 And that spirit, professionalism, determination and resilience is powerful beyond measure. — Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, "Read the Full Transcript of Prince Harry's Powerful Speech at the Endeavour Awards," 11 Feb. 2019 This tale of friendship and resilience will warm the hearts of kids from two to 102. — Megan Barber, Curbed, "The 17 best kids’ books about design and cities," 12 Dec. 2018 What’s more, the global trading system has shown some surprising resilience. — Jacob M. Schlesinger, WSJ, "The Catch-22 of Globalization," 21 Jan. 2019 Ollivier demonstrates strength and resilience, though ultimately, her character is more of a prop to create tension for others in some extraordinarily tired and regressive ways, rather than someone with her own agency and destiny. — Bryan Bishop, The Verge, "Overlord is a gloriously entertaining piece of B-movie schlock," 9 Nov. 2018 Even on Earth, life is remarkably diverse and has shown incredible resilience in extraordinarily hostile environments. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Study Shows Exoplanet Has a Stable Axis Just Like Earth," 29 June 2018 Your sense of self, your strength and resilience — no one can take these away from you. — Anna Pulley, RedEye Chicago, "Ask Anna: I'm bisexual. Can I be in a heterosexual relationship without losing myself?," 26 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'resilience.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.