unbowed

adjective

un·​bowed ˌən-ˈbau̇d 

1

: not bowed down

2

: not subdued

bloodied but unbowed

Examples of unbowed in a Sentence

He was unbowed by failure.

Recent Examples on the Web

Images of the shelter slipped the Russian choke hold to appear on the world’s screens—intact and unbowed amid the rubble, like a temple time-transported from some more ancient siege, the faces of those within drained but resolute. —James Verini, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026

London endured 57 consecutive nights of bombing during the Blitz and emerged battered but unbowed. —Bobby Ghosh, Time, 8 Apr. 2026

Although American and Israeli strikes have destroyed thousands of military targets and killed dozens of top officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the regime remains unbowed. —Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 22 Mar. 2026

Four decades into her stand-up career, Margaret Cho remains unbowed and unwavering on stage. —Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 12 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for unbowed

• afterload
• episode
• internode
• microcode
• multimode
• nematode
• nesselrode
• overflowed
• overload
• overrode
• radioed
• torpedoed

Kids Definition

unbowed

adjective

un·​bowed ˌən-ˈbau̇d 

ˈən-

1

: not bowed down

unbowed heads

2

: not conquered

unbowed by failure