What does unmoved mean?
“Unmoved” describes someone or something that does not change position, reveal emotion, or lose resolve. Its most familiar use is figurative: an unmoved person remains calm and firm despite pressure, criticism, grief, or appeal. The word therefore suggests not merely the absence of visible emotion, but a quality of composure and determination. In a physical sense, “unmoved” means that something has not been shifted from its place. The distinction is subtle, but the figurative sense is much more common today. “Unmoved by” is a particularly established construction, as in “unmoved by the allegations.” In ordinary conversation, the word is more formal than expressions such as “unaffected” or “calm,” and its slightly elevated tone gives it a literary or emphatic quality. It is especially useful when describing someone who maintains self-control while others react strongly.
adjectiveNot moved or affected by emotion; remaining firm, calm, or resolute despite circumstances that might provoke a reaction. It can also mean physically unmoved.
- Emotionally unaffected, firm, or unmoved by circumstances.
- Not physically moved or displaced.
"She remained unmoved by the criticism and calmly continued her work."
"The witness remained unmoved despite the pressure to change his account."
"The old bridge was unmoved by the force of the river."
In a world trained to react, remaining unmoved can be a quiet but powerful form of conviction.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does unmoved come from?
“Unmoved” was formed in English by adding the prefix “un-” to “moved,” following the ordinary English pattern of negating a participle. The root “move” comes through Old French “moveir” from Latin “movere,” meaning “to move.” Related English words such as “movable,” “motion,” and “motive” continue the same broad Latin and French inheritance.
Related word forms
How unmoved is actually used
The emotional sense is common in formal and literary English. The phrase “unmoved by” is especially frequent and conveys steadiness in the face of criticism, pressure, sympathy, or spectacle.