Resilient
adjective /rɪˈzɪlɪənt/ — The art of bending without breaking.
Definition
Able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions; returning to original form after being stretched or compressed.
Beyond the definition
One of the most important traits a person can have — and one of the most misused words to describe it. True resilience isn't bouncing back unchanged. It's coming through hard things with your capacity intact.
Origin & history
From Latin resilire — to spring back (re- 'back' + salire 'to jump').
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She was remarkably resilient — she'd been through more than most and still showed up.
The resilient startup rebuilt after the data breach and came back stronger.
Children are more resilient than we give them credit for, but they're not invincible.
Synonyms
tough, adaptable, hardy, strong, buoyant
Antonyms
fragile, brittle, delicate
Related words
Resilient vs persistent
Resilient describes the ability to bounce back and recover from hardship. Persistent describes the act of continuing to work toward a goal despite obstacles or long durations of effort.
Compare this word
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Ceramic artist repairing a bowl
A ceramicist carefully holds fragments of a pottery bowl together, using gold-colored material to repair the cracks.
The process of restoring a broken object to its original function while embracing its history of damage embodies the ability to withstand hardship and return to a useful, functional form.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration