Impavid

Fearless or undaunted in the face of danger.

Reach for it when choosing a rare literary term for courage that shows little visible fear

The impavid guide crossed the damaged footbridge to inspect the far support.

• everyday

  fearless

  plain emphasis on an apparent absence of fear is enough

  not when Fearless can deny prudent concern and is less unusual than impavid.

• everyday

  unafraid

  the absence of fear should be stated directly

  not when Unafraid lacks the learned, elevated register that motivates impavid.

• warm

  undaunted

  difficulty has failed to discourage continued action

  not when Undaunted allows fear and focuses on persistence rather than composure.

• formal

  valiant

  noble courage in struggle deserves ceremonial respect

  not when Valiant may sound heroic beyond the scale of the act.

• literary

  intrepid

  courage joins adventurous action in unfamiliar conditions

  not when Intrepid suggests exploration and is misplaced for quiet moral resistance.

• fearful
• timid
• cowardly

• impavid leader

  The impavid leader kept the evacuation orderly as smoke reached the road.

• impavid resolve

  Impavid resolve carried the small crew through the final crossing.

• remain impavid

  She appeared to remain impavid while the storm closed around the vessel.