resilient

adjective

re·​sil·​ient ri-ˈzil-yənt How to pronounce resilient (audio)
: 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
resiliently adverb
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Travel demand in the world’s second largest economy has been resilient due to a fundamental shift in the spending habits of young Chinese after experiencing lockdowns during the Covid-19 pandemic, says Sun, who was included in Forbes Asia’s list of Emergent Businesswomen in 2018. Yue Wang, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024 This year’s holiday spending outlook appears fairly resilient, benefiting a few online and discount retailers, according to a recent Goldman Sachs survey. Pia Singh, CNBC, 27 Nov. 2024 Consumers, though resilient, are still facing pressure from inflation. Damian J. Troise and Alex Veiga, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024 Vice President Kamala Harris took to social media to urge supporters to remain resilient despite her Election Day loss to President-elect Donald Trump. Jamel Valencia, Baltimore Sun, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for resilient 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of resilient was in 1674

Dictionary Entries Near resilient

Cite this Entry

“Resilient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resilient. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

resilient

adjective
re·​sil·​ient ri-ˈzil-yənt How to pronounce resilient (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce resilient (audio)
: characterized or marked by resilience

More from Merriam-Webster on resilient

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!