unmoved
Americanadjective
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having no emotional response; feeling no pity, sadness, passion, enthusiasm, etc..
He came crying for help, but his family was unmoved—they were worn down from years of helping him to no avail.
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unchanged, especially in value or degree; remaining the same, as one’s intentions or principles.
Get ready for another day of unmoved barometric pressure.
After two weeks of stalled negotiations, both sides remain unmoved.
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having not been physically changed from one position or place to another; having been left alone.
Does the number of upholstered pieces for the new house include the unmoved furniture?
adjective
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not affected emotionally
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unchanged
share price remained unmoved
Etymology
Origin of unmoved
First recorded in 1350–1400; un- 1 ( def. ) + moved ( def. )
Explanation
Someone who is unmoved is not affected by emotions or convinced by arguments. Parents who do not change their minds about raising your allowance despite your earnest pleas are unmoved. The word unmoved also has the simpler meaning of "not moved," as in the vase stayed firmly on the table during the earthquake. But the word is more often used to describe people whose emotions are not stirred by a sad story or event. Such people are not swayed from a course of action by feelings of outrage or sorrow. For example, a judge in a courtroom may be unmoved by a lawyer's arguments that a first-time offender deserves a second chance.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
There are other people around, yes, but they pass unmoved by his golden visage.
From Slate • Jun. 2, 2026
—In the U.S., stock futures were unmoved after all three major indexes closed at fresh records in the last session.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026
“Ask one of them young guys that question,” James said, unmoved.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026
But Scotland scored 40 unanswered points after falling behind against France last week and they were unmoved by Ireland's early salvo as they expertly navigated 19 phases before Graham scampered clear in the corner.
From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026
Arobin caught the contagion of excitement which drew him to Edna like a magnet Mrs. Highcamp remained, as usual, unmoved, with her indifferent stare and uplifted eyebrows.
From "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
