resilience

noun

re·​sil·​ience ri-ˈzil-yən(t)s How to pronounce resilience (audio)
Synonyms of resilience
1
: the capability of a body to recover its size and shape after deformation caused especially by compressive stress
the resilience of rubber
Cold temperatures caused the material to lose resilience.
2
: an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change
The rescue workers showed remarkable resilience in dealing with the difficult conditions.
Analysts pointed to consumer confidence as a sign of the economy's resilience.

Did you know?

Using Resilience Outside of Physics

In physics, resilience is the ability of an elastic material (such as rubber or animal tissue) to absorb energy (such as from a blow) and release that energy as it springs back to its original shape. The recovery that occurs in this phenomenon can be viewed as analogous to a person's ability to bounce back after a jarring setback. The word resilience derives from the present participle of the Latin verb resilire, meaning "to jump back" or "to recoil." The base of resilire is salire, a verb meaning "to leap" that also pops up in the etymologies of such sprightly words as sally and somersault.

Examples of resilience in a Sentence

… the concert remained a remarkable tribute to Dylan's resilience and continued relevance. —Susan Richardson, Rolling Stone, 15 Dec. 1994
He squeezed the rubber with a clamp and then released it—demonstrating with this painfully simple experiment that the material lost its resilience and therefore its ability to flex rapidly enough to protect the rocket joint from tumultuous hot gases. —James Gleick, New York Times Book Review, 13 Nov. 1988
With amazing resilience the two tribes pulled together and set out to found a new town farther up the river. —Carolyn Gilman, American Indian Art Magazine, Spring 1988
It is really wonderful how much resilience there is in human nature. Let any obstructing cause, no matter what, be removed in any way, even by death, and we fly back to first principles of hope and enjoyment. —Bram Stoker, Dracula, 1897
The rescue workers showed remarkable resilience in dealing with the difficult conditions. Cold temperatures caused the material to lose resilience.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But Pat Murphy’s team displayed the resilience of the 67-year-old manager, who survived a heart attack in 2020 and was the NL Manager of the Year in his first two full seasons at the helm in 2024 and 2025. — Rob Maaddi, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026 As China’s global presence grows, data governance, biosecurity, and resilience are serious concerns. — Ruby Wang, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2026 What excites me most about directing this film is the opportunity to capture Jordan in all her dimensions — her joy, vulnerability, ambition, and resilience. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2026 Distinguishing between resilience and fatigue isn’t always easy. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for resilience

Word History

Etymology

see resilient

First Known Use

1807, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of resilience was in 1807

Browse Nearby Words

resiliate
resilience
resiliency
See all Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Resilience.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resilience. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

resilience

noun
re·​sil·​ience ri-ˈzil-yən(t)s How to pronounce resilience (audio)
1
: the ability of a body to regain its original size and shape after being compressed, bent, or stretched : elasticity
2
: the ability to recover from or adjust to misfortune or change

Medical Definition

resilience

noun
re·​sil·​ience ri-ˈzil-yən(t)s How to pronounce resilience (audio)
1
: the capability of a strained body to recover its size and shape after deformation caused especially by compressive stress
2
: an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change
emotional resilience

More from Merriam-Webster on resilience

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