resilient

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "resilient" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as an adjective to describe someone who is able to respond quickly and positively to difficult situations or to describe something that is able to recover quickly from setbacks. For example, "The resilient team worked hard and overcame the challenges to win the championship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The poll of 20,000 people by YouGov for the British Election Study suggests that the Ukip vote will prove much more resilient this time than in the last election cycle.

The Guardian

The once semi-rural idyll of suburbia might have faded under the weight of hollowed-out high streets and the urban ethnic mix but suburbia is a resilient place and all the better for its modern diversity.

The Guardian - Opinion

Closer ties are designed to make emerging economies more resilient to financial shocks such as that in 2008, when, he said, world trade almost froze for two months.

The Guardian

We know from research that work teams that are more resilient on the four characteristics are more productive and have lower levels of sickness absence and presenteeism.

The Guardian

And that handiwork – from the show's resilient and creative audience – still comes by the sackload.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The average amount of time spent reading newspapers fell more than 25% globally from 2010 to 2014 – but the popularity of newsprint has proved resilient in the UK with just a 3% decline over the same period.

The Guardian

Uganda is strong, vibrant, developing technology, industry, the resilient women are rising in civil groups, that's what I want to talk about.

The Guardian

We need to use the facts to find solutions to help people become more financially resilient and independent.

The Guardian

We will be live streaming the conference's session on resilience, which will discuss how cities can use technology and civic engagement to create resilient places to visit, live and work.

The Guardian

"Making communities and countries more resilient to international shocks and climate change and protecting the most vulnerable will continue to be priorities post 2015 in poor, middle income and rich countries alike," says Squires.

The Guardian

Children themselves are amazingly resilient and stay cheerful in the face of circumstances that most adults would struggle to deal with.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "resilient" when referring to the ability of individuals or communities to cope with adversity. This acknowledges their inner strength and capacity for adaptation and growth in challenging circumstances.

Common error

While "resilient" implies the ability to recover, it's essential to use it accurately. Reserve "resilient" for situations where the focus is on bouncing back from adversity. If you simply mean something is strong and resistant, opt for words like "sturdy", "robust", or "durable" to more accurately convey the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "resilient" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe their capacity to recover quickly from difficulties, adapt to change, or withstand pressure. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where "resilient" precedes nouns such as "team", "economy", and "communities".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Resilient" is a highly versatile adjective used to describe the ability to recover quickly from difficulties. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use as an adjective modifying nouns across a range of contexts. Its semantic richness allows it to convey concepts of strength, adaptability, and durability, making it valuable in both formal and informal communication. While "resilient" is very common in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts, writers should consider alternatives like "adaptable", "strong", and "able to bounce back" to prevent overuse and ensure accuracy in their writing. To reinforce resilience, concentrate your writing on the ability to recover and adapt to new challenging environment to enhance the impact of the writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

able to bounce back

Focuses on the ability to recover quickly from setbacks, similar to a physical rebound.

quick to recover

Emphasizes the speed of recovery from adverse conditions or difficulties.

strong

Highlights the capability to endure hardship and adversity.

adaptable

Stresses the ability to adjust to new conditions and challenges effectively.

durable

Implies long-lasting strength and resistance to wear or damage.

tenacious

Indicates a persistent determination to overcome obstacles.

able to withstand pressure

Highlights the capability to remain undamaged or unaffected by external pressures.

tough

Conveys a sense of robustness and the ability to handle difficult situations.

not easily discouraged

Focuses on maintaining motivation and optimism in the face of setbacks.

able to cope

Emphasizes the capability to manage and overcome challenges effectively.

FAQs

How can I use "resilient" in a sentence?

You can use "resilient" to describe something that recovers quickly from difficulties, like "The "resilient economy" bounced back after the recession" or to describe a person who is able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions like, "She is a "resilient person", always managing to overcome challenges".

What are some synonyms for "resilient"?

Alternatives to "resilient" include "adaptable", "strong", "durable", "tough", and "able to bounce back". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say someone is "resilient to" stress?

While it's common to hear "resilient to", it is more grammatically precise to say someone is "resilient in the face of" or "resilient when facing" stress. You can also say someone demonstrates "resilience" in stressful situations.

What's the difference between "resilient" and "resistant"?

"Resistant" implies an ability to prevent something from affecting you, while "resilient" means you can recover quickly after being affected. For example, a material might be resistant to scratches, but a person is resilient after experiencing hardship. "Resilient" implies bouncing back, while resistant implies not being affected in the first place.