RESILIENCE Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

resilience

noun

Definition of resilience

as in strength

the ability to withstand or adjust to challenges Her resilience shined in her willingness to accept the failure as a valuable learning experience. We were impressed by his resilience and optimism throughout his battle with cancer.

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as in flexibility

the ability of something to return to its original shape after it has been stretched, pressed, bent, etc. Rubber is a favorite material for dog toys thanks to its strong resilience. Palm trees have evolved to show strong resilience in the face of tropical storms.

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of resilience Recurring giving is a resilience strategy, not a payment setting. — Yuriy Boyechko, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026 However, China’s export resilience is now faced with mounting challenges, said Ecaterina Bigos, a senior market strategist at BNP Paribas Asset Management. — ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026 This must-read novel urges us to consider how struggles for resilience mold our individual and cultural legacies. — Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026 True affordability means investing in community resilience, not stripping away the resources that protect our homes and environment. — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for resilience

Recent Examples of Synonyms for resilience

Noun

Battle-tested Like their patron Iran, the Houthis have deployed asymmetric warfare for the 21st century by capitalizing on their strengths — primarily drones and missiles.

— NBC news, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2026
Treatments for acne range from over-the-counter creams and lotions to prescription-strength medications.

— Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of strength

Noun

The company’s goal is to combine rail’s energy and cost advantages with more frequent departures and greater flexibility.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026
His teams play intricate, attractive, fluid soccer with plenty of moving parts and flexibility based on what the opponent is showing.

— Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of flexibility

Noun

Then there’s a clearing of throats, and like malware, the narratives begin to establish persistence over mood and multiply.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2026
The dehumanization of Black people represented by the persistence of Confederate iconography in mainstream culture became an underground signifier of the precariousness of the freedoms enshrined by the 14th Amendment.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of persistence

Noun

The 2025 Subscription Economy Index analyzed more than 600 companies and found continued growth in recurring models, while also emphasizing reduced churn and adaptability as important components of durable performance.

— Adam Povlitz, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Since 2022, postings demanding AI fluency have risen elevenfold, those seeking adaptability fivefold, and those requiring resilience, curiosity and willingness to learn threefold.

— Eric Kutcher, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of adaptability

Noun

The Home Service Insurance segment experienced a decline in premiums, attributed to strategic actions to improve sales quality and persistency, as well as economic pressures such as inflation.

— Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2025
The tannins are well structured yet soft and the wine has great persistency in the finish.

— Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 2 May 2023

Definition of persistency

Noun

Its amino-acid complex helps smooth and strengthen strands from the inside out, while amaranth extract reinforces fragile hair and baobab extract helps improve elasticity and bounce.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 7 Oct. 2026
Therapists begin facials with face-scanning wands and other probes, to measure your lipid shield, pigmentation, hydration and elasticity, and then cater their approach to the precise needs of your skin in that moment.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of elasticity

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resigns (from)

resilience

resilient

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“Resilience.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resilience. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of resilience

noun

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