resilient

[ri-zil-yuhnt, -zil-ee-uhnt]

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

/ 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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of resilient¹

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

Another mourner, David Ouma, said: "I learned from Raila is to be resilient, because Raila was always a very resilient leader through every election… he still rose to try again to try again."

Read more on BBC

In the wake of that event, California’s energy leaders vowed to take action to make the grid more resilient.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

SLB’s CEO noted resilient international markets, particularly in the Middle East and Asia, despite a fully supplied oil market.

Read more on Barron's

Still, exports from the manufacturing powerhouse have proven resilient, with many shipments diverted to alternative markets including in Southeast Asia.

Read more on Barron's

There remain questions about how resilient water supply and utility systems will be after a big earthquake.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• buoyant 
• strong 
• supple 
• tough 
• volatile