resilient

American  

[ri-zil-yuhnt, -zil-ee-uhnt] / rɪˈzɪl yənt, -ˈzɪl i ənt /

adjective

1. springing back; rebounding.

   Synonyms:

   springy, flexible, elastic

2. returning to the original form or position after being bent, compressed, or stretched.

3. recovering readily from illness, depression, adversity, or the like; buoyant.

---

resilient British  

/ rɪˈzɪlɪənt /

adjective

1. (of an object or material) capable of regaining its original shape or position after bending, stretching, compression, or other deformation; elastic

2. (of a person) recovering easily and quickly from shock, illness, hardship, etc; irrepressible

---

Other Word Forms

• nonresilient adjective
• nonresiliently adverb
• resiliently adverb
• unresilient adjective
• unresiliently adverb

Etymology

Origin of resilient

First recorded in 1635–45; from Latin resilient-, stem of resiliēns, present participle of resilīre “to spring back,” equivalent to re- re- + -sil-, combining form of salīre “to leap, jump”; salient

Example Sentences

One resilient pup is starting the new year with a loving home.

From Los Angeles Times

He cites positive catalysts including a resilient consumer, ongoing solid capital spending by companies and higher refunds this tax season that would be spent in 2026.

From MarketWatch

That distinction—form over size—helps explain why China’s economy looks weak in the headline data yet more resilient beneath the surface.

From Barron's

Surprisingly resilient consumer spending shored up an uncertain economic backdrop.

From The Wall Street Journal

“There’s so many more contaminants that are going to be hitting fields because of droughts and floods and all these extreme weather events. How are these crops becoming much more resilient?”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• buoyant
• strong
• supple
• tough
• volatile