resilient
ri-ZIL-yunt
/rɪˈzɪliənt/
Able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions, shocks, or injuries.
Focuses specifically on bounce-back strength and recovery after suffering trauma, failure, or heavy stress.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'resilire', meaning 'to leap back' or 'rebound' (from 're-' meaning back and 'salire' meaning to jump). In physics, it described rubber or springs returning to shape, before becoming a key word for psychological stamina in the 20th century.
Word relationships
- tough: Tough stresses resistance to physical or mental damage, while resilient emphasizes returning to form after strain.
- adaptable: Adaptable implies modifying oneself to suit surroundings, whereas resilient implies regaining strength after being crushed.
- fragile: Fragile means easily broken, damaged, or destroyed under light stress.
- vulnerable: Vulnerable means open to emotional or physical harm without defensive bounce-back.
Commonly confused with
- resistant: Resistant withstands pressure without changing; resilient absorbs the blow and springs back.
Word family
- resilience (noun): The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties.
- resilience (noun): Alternative spelling of resilience.
Collocations
- resilient economy
- resilient spirit
- highly resilient
- resilient architecture
Idioms & expressions
- bounce back
- weather the storm
Example sentences
- "The human spirit is far more resilient than any obstacle placed in its path, bouncing back stronger after severe trial." Reflections on human character and perseverance
- "The coastal marshland proved resilient, rebounding fully within two seasons following the severe chemical spill." Ecological system analysis
Memory hook
RE-SILIENT: RE-leaping back into place like a trampoline after a jump. Leap back up whenever life knocks you down.
When not to use
Do not use to describe simple willingness to follow rules; use compliant instead.
Fun facts
- The root 'salire' (to leap) also gives us words like 'salient' (jumping out at you) and 'somersault'.
Related words
Explore more words
resilience, restorative, adaptability, hardiness, self-reliant
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