resilient.
/rɪˈzɪliənt/ adjective
Able to recover quickly from setbacks, knocks or bad luck.
It’s all in the nuance.
Strong resists the blow; resilient absorbs it and gets up — a resilient person can be knocked flat.
toughhard to damage; resilient is about recovery
hardyphysically robust, especially plants and people in harsh conditions
adaptablechanges shape to fit; resilient returns to shape
Hear it in context.
At work
“We need a more resilient supply chain — one lost supplier shouldn't stop the line.”
In a story
“The village was resilient in the stubborn way of places that have flooded before and rebuilt before.”
Take it into your day.
Describe one system, plant, person or plan as resilient today — and say what it survived.