Resilience: meaning, definitions and examples

It describes the ability to recover quickly from difficulties or tough situations. Often used to describe emotional or psychological strength over time.

• The community showed remarkable resilience after the natural disaster.
• Her resilience helped her bounce back after the tough breakup.

A more general term that can refer to physical power, mental robustness, or emotional stability. It is not as specific to recovery or persistence but can encompass those ideas.

• She has the physical strength to lift heavy weights.
• His emotional strength helped him support his family during hard times.

Indicates mental and emotional strength in facing adversity, danger, or pain. It’s often used in contexts where enduring hardship with courage is emphasized.

• He faced the illness with great fortitude.
• Her fortitude during difficult times was inspiring to everyone around her.

Refers to steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. Commonly used to describe continuous effort and determination over a period of time.

• Her perseverance paid off when she finally completed her degree.
• The team's perseverance through the season led them to victory.

Use this word to describe the ability of a person, system, or material to recover quickly from difficulties or setbacks. It is common in both psychological and physical contexts.

• Her resilience in the face of adversity inspired everyone in the team.
• The resilience of the human spirit is truly remarkable.

This term is best used in contexts involving physics, economics, or any field where the ability of a material or entity to return to its original form after being stretched or compressed is discussed.

• The elasticity of the rubber band allows it to stretch and then return to its original shape.
• In economics, price elasticity of demand measures how the quantity demanded of a good responds to a change in price.

Flexibility is often used to describe the ability to adapt to new, different, or changing requirements. This term can be used in physical contexts as well as in discussing attitudes, plans, and strategies.

• Yoga helps to improve both physical flexibility and mental relaxation.
• The project requires flexibility as the requirements are constantly changing.

This word is typically used to describe a physical property of materials that allows them to return to their original shape after being compressed or stretched. It’s often used informally and can have a playful connotation.

• The mattress's springiness makes it very comfortable to sleep on.
• The springiness of the grass underfoot was a welcome feeling.

Best used to describe the ability to recover quickly from difficult situations or to withstand stress and adversity, often applied in both personal and material contexts.

• Her resilience was remarkable after losing her job and bouncing back stronger.
• The building's resilience was tested during the earthquake.

Best used to describe strength and durability, particularly in technical and mechanical contexts. It implies a solid, reliable ability to perform under various conditions.

• The robustness of this software ensures it runs smoothly without crashing.
• This car's robustness makes it perfect for off-road adventures.

Ideal for situations where the focus is on changing or adjusting easily to new conditions or environments. Commonly used in professional and ecological contexts.

• His adaptability to the new job's requirements was impressive.
• The adaptability of some species to climate change is astonishing.

Used when describing physical strength, particularly of objects or structures. It suggests that something is well-built and less likely to break or wear down.

• The sturdiness of this table means it can support a lot of weight.
• We were impressed by the sturdiness of the bridge.