What does undaunted mean?
Undaunted means showing courage and firm resolve despite danger, hardship, intimidation, or discouragement. The word is especially associated with people who continue facing difficult circumstances without losing confidence or allowing fear to control their actions. It can describe a person, a group, an expression, or an attitude: an undaunted team, an undaunted spirit, or a look of undaunted determination. Although undaunted is often treated as synonymous with fearless, it need not imply the complete absence of fear. A person can be frightened and still undaunted, continuing despite that fear. In contemporary English, the word has a formal, literary, and generally positive tone, making it common in accounts of leadership, adversity, conflict, and courage. It is also used figuratively when describing persistence in the face of setbacks or criticism.
adjectiveShowing fearlessness or determination in the face of danger, difficulty, or adversity. Undaunted people or situations remain resolute and are not shaken by intimidation or discouragement.
- Not shaken by fear, intimidation, or adversity; showing courage and resolve.
"Despite the storm and the loss of their shelter, the rescue team remained undaunted."
"She remained undaunted by the criticism and continued working calmly toward her goal."
"The defenders were undaunted by the waves and held their ground against the storm."
Undaunted does not claim that fear never appears; it means fear does not get the final say.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does undaunted come from?
Undaunted was formed in English by combining the prefix un- with the past participle daunted, meaning “made timid” or “discouraged.” The resulting adjective came to mean the opposite: not daunted, or not shaken by fear. It developed in English during the early modern period and belongs to the familiar English family of daunt, dauntless, and the rare verb undaunt.
Related word forms
How undaunted is actually used
Generally formal or literary. It has a strongly approving, heroic connotation and is often used in descriptions of courage, leadership, or resilience; it does not necessarily mean that a person feels no fear.
Easily confused with undaunted
Undaunted primarily describes someone who is not shaken by fear or intimidation, whereas undeterred emphasizes continuing despite obstacles or discouragement.