Unbowed
adj.resilient, hopefulliterary
What it means
Still dignified and determined after pressure or defeat.
Reach for it when Honoring resilience that refuses humiliation or surrender.
The unbowed residents returned to court with better records and wider support.
Choose between these
6- everyday
defiant
active resistance deserves emphasis
not when can sound hostile rather than resilient
- warm
self-respect survives a setback
not when may suggest satisfaction rather than resistance
- professional
purpose remains firm under pressure
not when does not imply a prior attempt to subdue
- formal
loyal commitment continues through adversity
not when quieter than open refusal to yield
- formal
difficulty has not reduced courage
not when less focused on dignity after mistreatment
- literary
hardship has not crushed the spirit
not when can imply damage even when none occurred
Said against
3- subdued
- defeated
- broken
It naturally appears in
3- remain unbowed
The advocates remained unbowed after the permit was denied.
- unbowed spirit
Her unbowed spirit steadied the team during the appeal.
- proud and unbowed
He left the hearing proud and unbowed, despite the delay.
Where this comes from
- wiktionary, adjective: not subdued by difficulty opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.