unbowed
Americanadjective
-
not bowed or bent.
-
not yielding or submitting, as to defeat; not subjugated.
Even when their country was occupied, the people of Norway remained unbowed.
adjective
-
not bowed or bent
-
free or unconquered
Etymology
Origin of unbowed
1325–75; Middle English; see un- 1 + bow 1 ( def. ) + -ed 2 ( def. )
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.
While Reid spoke with Bush about “the need for reconciliation” after a contentious campaign, his message for his own Democratic caucus was unbowed.
From Slate ● May 4, 2026
Shami called the talks "cowardice" and said the group's fighters remained unbowed despite being squeezed by the government and Israel.
From Barron's ● Apr. 22, 2026
Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, is known for being unbowed.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 6, 2026
Alvarez arrived at the news conference marked up but unbowed.
From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2025
In the saddle, he rode unbowed, as though he had gained new strength and the weariness of the journey could no longer touch him.
From "The Black Cauldron" by Lloyd Alexander
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.
