In one embodiment, a resolution resiliency application performs robust domain name system (DNS) resolution. In operation, the resolution resiliency application determines that an authoritative name server that is responsible for a domain name specified in a DNS query is unavailable. In response to determining that the authoritative name server is unavailable, the resolution resiliency application performs operation(s) that modify one or more DNS records stored in a cache based on one or more resiliency policies associated with the authoritative name server. The resolution resiliency application then generates a DNS response to the DNS query based on a DNS record stored in the modified cache. Notably, unlike conventional techniques that may generate inaccurate DNS responses based on stale DNS records, the disclosed techniques increase the likelihood of providing clients with DNS responses that accurately provide requested information.