unbowed

American  

[uhn-boud] / ʌnˈbaʊd /

adjective

1. not bowed or bent.

2. not yielding or submitting, as to defeat; not subjugated.

   Even when their country was occupied, the people of Norway remained unbowed.

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unbowed British  

/ ʌnˈbaʊd /

adjective

1. not bowed or bent

2. free or unconquered

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Etymology

Origin of unbowed

1325–75; Middle English; un- ¹ + bow ¹ ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, is known for being unbowed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

The goal is to show that Jewish students remain unbowed and that there’s room for empathy for both Palestinians and Israelis affected by the war.

From Seattle Times • May 3, 2024

This week, as Gov. Gavin Newsom mobilized emergency teams for what his office said would be “significant rain, high winds, deep snow as well as potential flash flooding and power outages,” Ms. Langlois was unbowed.

From New York Times • Feb. 1, 2024

I give him a tremendous amount of credit for the ability as a candidate to stay focused and unbowed by ugly personal attacks that might push a less mission-driven person out of politics.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 6, 2023

Even with her cane, Aunt Rose always seemed fierce and unbowed, and seeing her like this, small and frail, reminded Ophie that her aunt was a very old woman, maybe even older than Mrs. Caruthers.

From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland