Undaunted

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Showing courage and determination in the face of difficulty or danger, refusing to be discouraged by setbacks or challenges
2. Exhibiting bravery and resilience regardless of obstacles or threats, one remains hopeful and steadfast despite potential discouragement or failure
3. Maintaining confidence and fearlessness in adverse situations, a person demonstrates persistence and strength in overcoming challenges without yielding

Etymology: "Undaunted" is simply the prefix "un-", meaning "not", attached to "daunted," the past participle of the verb "daunt." Here the sense is stripped of any grand origin story: the base was already in English and the negation was added to it. The verb "daunt" came into English from Old French "danter" (later "donter"), which goes back to Latin "domitare," meaning "to tame." Its earliest English sense was therefore close to "to subdue," and the notion of making someone quail or lose heart developed from that idea of breaking a creature's spirit. Middle English speakers formed "ondauntit," a form that gave us the modern word.

Synonyms: intrepid, unfazed, fearless, unflinching, unperturbed

Antonyms: daunted, afraid, dismayed, discouraged, frightened