resiliency

noun

re·​sil·​ien·​cy ri-ˈzil-yən(t)-sē How to pronounce resiliency (audio)
plural resiliencies
1
: the ability of something to return to its original size and shape after being compressed or deformed : resilience sense 1
Most of these rollers have to be replaced every few years when the rubber loses its resiliency.Steve Rosenthal
Upholstery consisted of lightweight leather cushions; frequently there were springs beneath the cushions for added resiliency.Daniel M. Mendelowitz
2
: an ability to recover from or adjust easily to adversity or change : resilience sense 2
… the resiliency of nature and humans in the wake of fires, floods, earthquakes, volcanoes, and other destructive forces.Richard K. Snow et al.
The Brewers have shown a resiliency through the season's ups and downs …Associated Press
The project's goal is to develop … cultivars with certain traits; for example, better climate resiliency and better tolerance for low water and low fertilizer conditions.Julie Chao

Examples of resiliency in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The resiliency of women against long odds and low expectations was the theme of the night on Thursday as Variety and Lifetime toasted four of the entertainment industry’s brightest stars at the annual Power of Women event. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 17 Nov. 2023 In addition, the outlook doesn’t include any additional spending on the city’s plans to boost climate resiliency, rebuild City Hall or upgrade the city’s aging sidewalks and streetlights. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Nov. 2023 Despite countless recession calls from economists, analysts, and other experts this year and last, the U.S. economy as a whole has shown remarkable resiliency. Byalena Botros, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2023 In 2022, for example, Chucha Studios produced the photography series, Welcome Home, as an exploration of Black immigrant resiliency. Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 30 Oct. 2023 The community is still strong today and unlike other areas of Detroit, Grandmont-Rosedale staved off blight and maintained its resiliency, according to Tracy Hadden Loh, a fellow at the Brookings Institution, adding that 92% of the neighborhood’s residents are Black. Corey Williams, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2023 Ukraine taking heavy casualties 10 weeks into its counteroffensive State Department officials say Blinken's visit is meant to showcase Ukraine's resiliency and perseverance, demonstrating how daily life vibrantly continues amid the bleakness of war. Shannon K. Crawford, ABC News, 6 Sep. 2023 There is a sense of resiliency that has already been observed. Brian Brant, Peoplemag, 17 Oct. 2023 The themes focus on mental wellness, resiliency, behavioral issues, and health habits. Dominique Fluker, Essence, 2 Oct. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'resiliency.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1712, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of resiliency was in 1712

Dictionary Entries Near resiliency

Cite this Entry

“Resiliency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resiliency. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

resiliency

noun
re·​sil·​ien·​cy ri-ˈzil-yən-sē How to pronounce resiliency (audio)

Medical Definition

resiliency

noun
re·​sil·​ien·​cy ri-ˈzil-yən-sē How to pronounce resiliency (audio)
plural resiliencies

More from Merriam-Webster on resiliency

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