resilient

Pronunciation: adjective. Synonyms: hardy, buoyant, irrepressible

adjective

Difficulty: intermediate

Definition of resilient

resilient (adjective): Able to withstand or recover quickly from adversity, challenges, or difficult conditions, demonstrating toughness and adaptability.

Example: Despite the economic downturn, the resilient entrepreneur managed to rebuild her business from scratch.

Best for: intermediate-difficulty vocabulary; learners who already know "hardy" or "buoyant"; GRE Verbal (Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence); SAT Reading & Writing (Words in Context).

Origin of resilient

Language of origin: Latin

Root word: resilire

Original meaning: to leap back, rebound

How it evolved: Initially used to describe physical elasticity, the term later evolved to encompass emotional and mental toughness.

The word 'resilient' originates from Latin and was later adopted into English in the 17th century to describe materials that could 'spring back.'

First known use: 1620s

How to Remember resilient

Think of 'resilient' as 're-silent': someone who becomes silent again after being disturbed, bouncing back to their calm state.

Synonyms for resilient

Antonyms of resilient

resilient in a Sentence

  1. Despite the economic downturn, the resilient entrepreneur managed to rebuild her business from scratch.
  2. The resilient material bounced back to its original shape after being stretched to its limits.
  3. Children often display a surprising capacity to be resilient in the face of emotional challenges.

resilient in Literature & Culture

The word 'resilient' frequently appears in self-help literature, motivational speeches, and discussions about mental health, symbolizing strength in adversity.

Usage Notes

While 'resilient' often describes emotional or physical strength, it can also refer to the ability of materials to return to their original shape after distortion. Be mindful of the context in which it is used.

Why resilient Matters for GRE & SAT

Resilient is a high-value GRE word because it tests a student's understanding of nuanced emotional and structural toughness, which often appears in reading comprehension and text completion questions.

Word Family

resilience (noun)
The ability to recover quickly or adapt to difficulties.
resiliency (noun)
The quality of being resilient; toughness.
resiliently (adverb)
In a manner that shows resilience or toughness.

Did You Know?

  • The concept of resilience is widely studied in psychology, particularly in the context of trauma and stress recovery.
  • The term 'resilient cities' is used in urban planning to describe cities designed to withstand and recover from environmental and social challenges.
  • In popular culture, superheroes like Batman are often described as resilient due to their ability to overcome personal loss and adversity.

More Vocabulary Words Starting with R

  • Recalcitrant — Having an obstinately uncooperative attitude; stubbornly resistant to authority.
  • radical — far-reaching; major
  • radical — Relating to or affecting the fundamental nature of something
  • radical — far-reaching; major
  • radical — Relating to or affecting the fundamental nature of something
  • ramification — A consequence of an action or event, especially a complex one
  • ramification — a consequence or resulting action of a previous event
  • ramification — a consequence or resulting action of a previous event
  • rampant — Spreading unchecked; flourishing in an unwelcome way
  • rampant — Spreading unchecked; flourishing in an unwelcome way