resilience
Resilience refers to the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties, setbacks, or trauma. The mental image is that of a physical object, like a high-quality spring or a sturdy branch, that can be bent or compressed by external pressure but possesses the internal strength to snap back into its original shape once that pressure is released. In usage, it is often applied to both individuals and systems, such as mental health, economic structures, or environmental ecosystems. It is a highly positive, sought-after trait in professional and personal contexts, often paired with words like "emotional" or "psychological" to describe a person's ability to maintain well-being despite adversity.
In conversation
Discussing a difficult project
I don't know how you handled that client's feedback without getting discouraged.
It took some resilience, but I learned a lot from the critique.
Shows resilience as a personal quality used to handle professional criticism.
Reflecting on a personal setback
She really showed amazing resilience after losing her job last year.
She did. She started her own business only three months later!
Highlights resilience as the ability to bounce back from a major life change.
Examples
Children often show great resilience in the face of change.
Building emotional resilience helps you manage stress more effectively over time.
The community demonstrated remarkable resilience by rebuilding the town center shortly after the hurricane.
