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.

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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

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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

The Ports of Jersey said fuel was sourced from a diverse range of countries, which helped it maintain "a dependable and resilient supply chain".

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Management expects innovative drugs will continue to drive resilient revenue growth with double-digit expansion for drug sales and business development income in 2026.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Much of March's recovery was fueled by health care jobs, which have remained resilient even as labor demand has dropped in other sectors.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

“Amanda was so resilient on the journey. She just never lost confidence in the project.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

How she said she loved this time of year because it was when the world finds out how resilient it is.

From "How to Disappear Completely" by Ali Standish

Related Words

• buoyant
• strong
• supple
• tough
• volatile