Synonyms of resilience

resilience

noun

1

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.

Related Words

• strength
• persistence
• persistency
• tenacity
• potency
• perseverance
• power
• stubbornness
• fortitude
• doggedness
• grit
• obduracy
• obstinacy
• tenaciousness
• backbone
• iron
• sand
• obdurateness
• obstinateness
• autonomy
• freedom
• pluck
• self-reliance
• self-sufficiency
• independence
• self-determination
• self-support
• self-dependence
• self-subsistence

Dissimilar Words

• weakness
• helplessness
• inadequacy
• impotence
• dependence
• reliance
• impotency

2

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.

Related Words

• flexibility
• adaptability
• elasticity
• plasticity
• workability
• limberness
• workableness
• pliability
• ductility
• suppleness
• pliancy
• malleability
• pliableness
• pliantness

Dissimilar Words

• stiffness
• rigidity
• inflexibility

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of resilience

The horrors inflicted and the resilience of the Jewish people in the face of denial and cruelty would define the rest of the century. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026

But resilience in individuals cannot substitute for protecting the institution that makes their work possible. — Daniel Jernigan, STAT, 7 Aug. 2026

As Europe faces increasingly extreme weather, the insurance industry will play its part in building resilience and backstopping countries, Munich Re’s Chief Financial Officer Andrew Buchanan added. — Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026

Leadership Depth Organizations that develop leaders at every level create greater resilience and stronger long-term value. — Amit Jain, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!