undeterred
UK: ˌʌndɪˈtɜːd | US: ˌʌndɪˈtɜːrd
adj. not discouraged or dissuaded; persistent despite obstacles or setbacks.
undeterred = un<not> + deter<discourage> + ed<adjective suffix>
- un: A prefix of negation, from Old English "un-," meaning "not."
- deter: From Latin "deterrere," combining "de-" (away) + "terrere" (frighten), meaning "to discourage or prevent through fear."
- ed: A suffix forming adjectives, indicating a state or condition.
Etymology Origin:
The word "undeterred" emerged in English by combining the negative prefix "un-" with "deterred," the past participle of "deter." "Deter" itself traces back to Latin, where "deterrere" literally meant "to frighten away." Over time, "deter" evolved to mean discouraging action through obstacles or threats, while "undeterred" came to describe resilience in the face of such challenges. The word encapsulates a narrative of defiance—retaining the original Latin sense of overcoming fear but shifting focus to steadfastness.
She remained undeterred by the criticism and continued her research.
Despite the heavy rain, the hikers were undeterred and reached the summit.
His undeterred optimism inspired everyone around him.
The team was undeterred by their initial failure and tried again.
Undeterred by the long odds, he pursued his dream relentlessly.