Synonyms

resile

American

[ri-zahyl] / rɪˈzaɪl /

verb (used without object)

resiled, resiling

to spring back; rebound; resume the original form or position, as an elastic body.
to shrink back; recoil.

resile British

/ rɪˈzaɪl /

verb

(intr) to spring or shrink back; recoil or resume original shape

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

resilement noun

Etymology

Origin of resile

1520–30; < Middle French resilir < Latin resilīre to spring back; see resilient

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"She does not resile from anything she said then. This email was sent in the context of advice the Duchess was given to try to assuage Epstein and his threats."

From BBC • Sep. 20, 2025

"Though ministers need not resile from previously stated views when directly asked about them, they should exercise discretion and should not take part in the public debate," he said.

From BBC • Oct. 3, 2024

But he added he did not "resile from my strongly held views" on the conflict.

From BBC • Jan. 24, 2024

In Foreign Office usage, however, resile means to appear elastic without actually budging from one's original position.

From Time Magazine Archive

You perhaps know that the children born under the handfasting engagement were reckoned lawful children, and not bastards, though the parents did afterwards resile.

From Notes and Queries, Number 48, September 28, 1850 by Various

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023