unscathed
Americanadjective
adjective
Usage
What does unscathed mean? Unscathed is an adjective used to describe being “uninjured” or “unharmed,” especially after a trying or dangerous experience. This word isn’t only used in situations where someone or something has escaped physical injury. It can also be applied to when a person’s reputation, finances, or emotional well-being are unscathed after some major ordeal. Example: The company was lucky to come out of the economic crisis unscathed, still turning a profit and even hiring new employees.
Etymology
Origin of unscathed
First recorded in 1400–50; Middle English; see un- 1, scathe ( def. ), -ed 2 ( def. )
Explanation
If you walked away from a nasty bike accident without a scratch, you walked away unscathed, meaning you came out unharmed. You can also come through a scandal unscathed, with your reputation untarnished, or your dog-walking business may emerge from the financial crisis unscathed and more profitable than ever. With the word unscathed, there's always a sense of something bad that might have happened but didn't.
Vocabulary lists containing unscathed
Oedipus the King
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The Odyssey
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Unbroken
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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.
In the 11th, Henriquez got out of the inning unscathed.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 7, 2026
Many insurers also offer a no-claims bonus if ships manage to make a trip unscathed, so sometimes ship owners get some of that premium back, he added.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 26, 2026
First-quarter consumer inflation data appeared to support the view that New Zealand wouldn’t navigate the conflict and its aftermath unscathed.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026
"I was hoping to come out as unscathed as possible because I didn't want to hurt her. Luckily, it was beautiful martial arts, that is what it is, it's an art," said Rousey.
From BBC • May 17, 2026
We figured that if the knights leapt out and startled it, and then immediately dove back into hiding, they would survive unscathed.
From "The Inquisitor's Tale" by Adam Gidwitz
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.
