Resilient vs. Strong — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 17, 2024
Resilient describes the ability to recover quickly from difficulties or return to original form, while strong refers to having physical power, endurance, or robustness.
Difference Between Resilient and Strong
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Resilient refers to the ability to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions. A resilient person or object can bounce back from setbacks or adapt to challenging situations effectively. Strong, on the other hand, denotes physical power, robustness, or the ability to exert force. A strong person or object can withstand pressure, force, or wear due to their inherent power or durability.
Resilience is often linked to emotional or psychological strength, allowing individuals or systems to handle stress and adversity. A resilient material can return to its original shape after being deformed. Strength, however, typically implies a more direct form of power, such as the physical capability to lift heavy objects or the structural integrity to support weight.
In personal qualities, resilience is about mental and emotional fortitude, whereas strength might refer to physical capabilities or moral firmness. A resilient individual can cope with and adapt to life's challenges, while a strong individual has the physical or moral capacity to face difficulties head-on.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Ability to recover quickly from difficulties
Physical power, robustness, or endurance
Focus
Recovery and adaptation
Power and durability
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Contexts
Emotional, psychological, material flexibility
Physical strength, structural integrity
Personal Traits
Mental and emotional fortitude
Physical capabilities or moral firmness
Example in Materials
Returns to original shape after deformation
Withstands pressure and force
Compare with Definitions
Resilient
Having emotional or psychological strength.
Despite the challenges, she remained resilient and optimistic.
Strong
Robust and durable.
The strong bridge withstood the earthquake without damage.
Resilient
Capable of returning to original shape after being compressed or stretched.
The resilient foam mattress regained its shape after being pressed.
Strong
Showing high intensity or potency.
The medicine had a strong effect on reducing the pain.
Resilient
Able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.
The resilient community rebuilt their homes after the hurricane.
Strong
Having the power to move heavy weights or perform other physically demanding tasks
She cut through the water with her strong arms
Resilient
Showing adaptability and flexibility.
Resilient employees adapt well to changes in the workplace.
Strong
Able to withstand force, pressure, or wear
Cotton is strong, hard-wearing, and easy to handle
Resilient
Displaying endurance and quick recovery.
The resilient athlete bounced back from injury swiftly.
Strong
Very intense
A strong smell
Resilient
Capable of returning to an original shape or position, as after having been compressed.
Strong
Used after a number to indicate the size of a group
A hostile crowd several thousands strong
Resilient
Able to recover readily, as from misfortune.
Strong
Denoting a class of verbs in Germanic languages that form the past tense and past participle by a change of vowel within the stem rather than by addition of a suffix (e.g. swim, swam, swum).
Resilient
Returning quickly to original shape after force is applied; elastic.
Strong
Relating to or denoting the strongest of the known kinds of force between particles, which acts between nucleons and other hadrons when closer than about 10⁻¹³ cm (so binding protons in a nucleus despite the repulsion due to their charge), and which conserves strangeness, parity, and isospin.
Resilient
(materials science) Having the ability to absorb energy when deformed.
Strong
Physically powerful; capable of exerting great physical force.
Resilient
Returning quickly to normal after damaging events or conditions.
Strong
Marked by great physical power
A strong blow to the head.
Resilient
Having the ability to recover from mental illness, trauma, etc.; having resilience.
Strong
In good or sound health; robust
A strong constitution.
A strong heart.
Resilient
Leaping back; rebounding; recoiling.
Strong
Economically or financially sound or thriving
A strong economy.
Resilient
Recovering readily from adversity, depression, or the like
Strong
Having force of character, will, morality, or intelligence
A strong personality.
Resilient
Rebounds readily;
Clean bouncy hair
A lively tennis ball
As resiliant as seasoned hickory
Springy turf
Strong
Having or showing ability or achievement in a specified field
Students who are strong in chemistry.
Strong
Capable of the effective exercise of authority
A strong leader.
Strong
Capable of withstanding force or wear; solid, tough, or firm
A strong building.
A strong fabric.
Strong
Having great binding strength
A strong adhesive.
Strong
Not easily captured or defeated
A strong flank.
A strong defense.
Strong
Not easily upset; resistant to harmful or unpleasant influences
Strong nerves.
A strong stomach.
Strong
Having force or rapidity of motion
A strong current.
Strong
Persuasive, effective, and cogent
A strong argument.
Strong
Forceful and pointed; emphatic
A strong statement.
Strong
Forthright and explicit, often offensively so
Strong language.
Strong
Extreme; drastic
Had to resort to strong measures.
Strong
Having force of conviction or feeling; uncompromising
Strong faith.
A strong supporter.
Strong
Intense in degree or quality
A strong emotion.
Strong motivation.
Strong
Having an intense or offensive effect on the senses
Strong light.
Strong vinegar.
Strong cologne.
Strong
Clear and loud
A strong voice.
Strong
Readily noticeable; remarkable
A strong resemblance.
A strong contrast.
Strong
Readily detected or received
A strong radio signal.
Strong
Having a high concentration of an essential or active ingredient
Mixed a strong solution of bleach and water.
Strong
Containing a considerable percentage of alcohol
Strong punch.
Strong
Powerfully effective
A strong painkiller.
Strong
Of or relating to a color having a high degree of saturation.
Strong
Having a specified number of units or members
A military force 100,000 strong.
Strong
Marked by steady or rising prices
A strong market.
Strong
Of or relating to those verbs in Germanic languages that form their past tense by a change in stem vowel, and their past participles by a change in stem vowel and sometimes by adding the suffix -(e)n, as sing, sang, sung or tear, tore, torn.
Strong
Of or relating to the inflection of nouns or adjectives in Germanic languages with endings that historically did not contain a suffix with an n.
Strong
Stressed or accented in pronunciation or poetic meter. Used of a word or syllable.
Strong
In a strong, powerful, or vigorous manner; forcefully
A salesperson who comes on too strong.
Strong
Capable of producing great physical force.
A big strong man; Jake was tall and strong
Strong
Capable of withstanding great physical force.
A strong foundation; good strong shoes
Strong
(of water, wind, etc.) Having a lot of power.
The man was nearly drowned after a strong undercurrent swept him out to sea.
Strong
Determined; unyielding.
He is strong in the face of adversity.
Strong
Highly stimulating to the senses.
A strong light; a strong taste
Strong
Having an offensive or intense odor or flavor.
A strong smell
Strong
Having a high concentration of an essential or active ingredient.
A strong cup of coffee; a strong medicine
Strong
(specifically) Having a high alcoholic content.
A strong drink
She gets up, and pours herself a strong one. - Eagles, Lying Eyes
Strong
(grammar) Inflecting in a different manner than the one called weak, such as Germanic verbs which change vowels.
A strong verb
Strong
(chemistry) That completely ionizes into anions and cations in a solution.
A strong acid;
A strong base
Strong
(military) Not easily subdued or taken.
A strong position
Strong
Having wealth or resources.
A strong economy
Strong
Impressive, good.
You're working with troubled youth in your off time? That’s strong!
Strong
Having a specified number of people or units.
The enemy's army force was five thousand strong.
Strong
(of a disease or symptom) Severe; very bad or intense.
Strong
Having a wide range of logical consequences; widely applicable. (Often contrasted with a weak statement which it implies.)
Strong
(of an argument) Convincing.
Strong
In a strong manner.
Strong
Having active physical power, or great physical power to act; having a power of exerting great bodily force; vigorous.
That our oxen may be strong to labor.
Orses the strong to greater strength must yield.
Strong
Having passive physical power; having ability to bear or endure; firm; hale; sound; robust; as, a strong constitution; strong health.
Strong
Solid; tough; not easily broken or injured; able to withstand violence; able to sustain attacks; not easily subdued or taken; as, a strong beam; a strong rock; a strong fortress or town.
Strong
Having great military or naval force; powerful; as, a strong army or fleet; a nation strong at sea.
Strong
Having great wealth, means, or resources; as, a strong house, or company of merchants.
Strong
Reaching a certain degree or limit in respect to strength or numbers; as, an army ten thousand strong.
Strong
Moving with rapidity or force; violent; forcible; impetuous; as, a strong current of water or wind; the wind was strong from the northeast; a strong tide.
Strong
Adapted to make a deep or effectual impression on the mind or imagination; striking or superior of the kind; powerful; forcible; cogent; as, a strong argument; strong reasons; strong evidence; a strong example; strong language.
Strong
Ardent; eager; zealous; earnestly engaged; as, a strong partisan; a strong Whig or Tory.
Her mother, ever strong against that match.
Strong
Having virtues of great efficacy; or, having a particular quality in a great degree; as, a strong powder or tincture; a strong decoction; strong tea or coffee.
Strong
Full of spirit; containing a large proportion of alcohol; intoxicating; as, strong liquors.
Strong
Affecting any sense powerfully; as, strong light, colors, etc.; a strong flavor of onions; a strong scent.
Strong
Solid; nourishing; as, strong meat.
Strong
Well established; firm; not easily overthrown or altered; as, a strong custom; a strong belief.
Strong
Violent; vehement; earnest; ardent.
He had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears.
Strong
Having great force, vigor, power, or the like, as the mind, intellect, or any faculty; as, a man of a strong mind, memory, judgment, or imagination.
I was stronger in prophecy than in criticism.
Strong
Vigorous; effective; forcible; powerful.
Like her sweet voice is thy harmonious song,As high, as sweet, as easy, and as strong.
Strong
Tending to higher prices; rising; as, a strong market.
Strong
Pertaining to, or designating, a verb which forms its preterit (imperfect) by a variation in the root vowel, and the past participle (usually) by the addition of -en (with or without a change of the root vowel); as in the verbs strive, strove, striven; break, broke, broken; drink, drank, drunk. Opposed to weak, or regular. See Weak.
Strong
Having strength or power greater than average or expected;
A strong radio signal
Strong medicine
A strong man
Strong
Used of syllables or musical beats
Strong
Not faint or feeble;
A strong odor of burning rubber
Strong
Having or wielding force or authority;
Providing the ground soldier with increasingly potent weapons
Strong
Having a strong physiological or chemical effect;
A potent toxin
Potent liquor
A potent cup of tea
Strong
Able to withstand attack;
An impregnable fortress
Fortifications that made the frontier inviolable
Strong
Of good quality and condition; solidly built;
A solid foundation
Several substantial timber buildings
Strong
Of verbs not having standard (or regular) inflection;
`sing' is a strong verb
Strong
Having a high alcoholic content;
Hard liquor
Strong
Freshly made or left;
A warm trail
The scent is warm
Strong
Strong and sure;
A firm grasp
Gave a strong pull on the rope
Strong
Having physical power or great force.
The strong man lifted the heavy weights with ease.
Strong
Capable of withstanding force or pressure.
The strong fabric did not tear despite the heavy load.
Strong
Possessing moral or intellectual power.
She has a strong will and stands firm in her beliefs.
Common Curiosities
Can a person be resilient and strong at the same time?
Yes, a person can be both resilient and strong, possessing both emotional adaptability and physical power.
What does resilient mean?
Resilient refers to the ability to recover quickly from difficulties or return to an original form after being deformed.
Can strong refer to non-physical aspects?
Yes, strong can refer to moral integrity, willpower, or intense effects.
Is strength inherent or can it be built?
Strength can be both inherent and built through exercise, training, and practice.
Is resilience more about mental or physical attributes?
Resilience is more about mental and emotional attributes, although it can also apply to materials returning to their original form.
How is resilience tested in materials?
Resilience in materials is tested by their ability to return to original shape after compression or stretching.
How is strength measured in people?
Strength in people is measured by their ability to exert force, endure physical challenges, or maintain moral integrity.
What does strong mean?
Strong means having physical power, robustness, or the capacity to endure pressure or exert force.
Is strength only about physical power?
No, strength can also refer to moral firmness and intellectual power.
Can materials be resilient?
Yes, materials can be resilient if they return to their original shape after deformation.
Is strength the same as durability?
Strength involves the capacity to withstand force, while durability refers to long-lasting performance under stress.
Do resilient people handle stress well?
Yes, resilient people handle stress well and recover quickly from setbacks.
Is a strong structure always resilient?
Not necessarily; a strong structure may not return to its original form after deformation, which is a trait of resilience.
Can resilience be developed?
Yes, resilience can be developed through experiences, training, and mental conditioning.
Does resilience involve flexibility?
Yes, resilience often involves flexibility and the ability to adapt to changes.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
