indomitable

adjective

in·​dom·​i·​ta·​ble in-ˈdä-mə-tə-bəl 

: incapable of being subdued : unconquerable

indomitable courage

indomitability

(ˌ)in-ˌdä-mə-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

indomitableness

in-ˈdä-mə-tə-bəl-nəs 

noun

indomitably

in-ˈdä-mə-tə-blē 

adverb

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Your Knowledge of Indomitable Cannot Be Tamed

At five punchy syllables, indomitable is an imposing word, so it’s inevitable that some are perplexed by this synonym for impregnable. But it’s not so tough once you break it into parts. The prefix in- (spelled im- before b, m, and p) means “not” in an innumerable collection of English words. (How many have you counted so far?) The common suffix -able means “capable of, fit for, or worthy of.” Combine those two English affixes with the Latin verb domitare (“to tame”), and voila: indomitable. Indomitable was first used in English as a synonym of wild, describing—appropriately enough—things that cannot be tamed, but over time the wildness associated with indomitable developed into a specific kind of invulnerable strength.

Synonyms

• bulletproof
• impregnable
• insuperable
• insurmountable
• invincible
• invulnerable
• unbeatable
• unconquerable
• unstoppable

Examples of indomitable in a Sentence

an indomitable spirit was needed to endure the rigors of pioneer life

Recent Examples on the Web

The indomitable spirit of our communities, the philanthropic generosity of the nation, the selflessness of volunteers, the dedication of public servants and the innovation and resources of the private sector have all been instrumental to our collective resilience. —Trevor Riggen, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

Yet, amidst the darkness, a sense of resilience and a sense of hope shines through, reflecting an indomitable spirit. —Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Oct. 2024

Under the visionary direction of Michael Gracey (‘The Greatest Showman’), the film is uniquely told from Williams’ perspective, capturing his signature wit and indomitable spirit. —Jordan Moreau, Variety, 2 Oct. 2024

The Resilience Of The Indian Spirit At the core of India's financial growth is the indomitable spirit of its people. —Pankaj Vasani, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin indomitabilis, from Latin in- + domitare to tame — more at daunt

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

indomitable

adjective

in·​dom·​i·​ta·​ble in-ˈdäm-ət-ə-bəl 

: unconquerable

indomitable courage

indomitability

(ˌ)in-ˌdäm-ət-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

indomitableness

in-ˈdäm-ət-ə-bəl-nəs 

noun

indomitably

-blē 

adverb