Meaning & use
indomitable
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivebefore a nounformalapproving
Never giving up and impossible to beat, usually because of great determination or courage.
Grammar: Usually comes before words for inner qualities: indomitable spirit, an indomitable will.
Patterns
- an indomitable spirit
- an indomitable will
Despite the injury, her indomitable spirit carried her to the finish line.
The village showed indomitable courage during the flood.
He had an indomitable will to learn.
adjectivecomparableliterary
Used of a person who cannot be discouraged or made to give in, however hard things become.
Grammar: Can describe a person directly: she was indomitable.
Patterns
- be indomitable in something
Their grandmother was indomitable, still gardening at ninety.
The indomitable explorer pushed on through the storm.
Indomitable even in defeat, the team vowed to return.
Common combinations
- indomitable spirit
- The team's indomitable spirit inspired the whole school.
- indomitable will
- With an indomitable will, he rebuilt his business.
- indomitable courage
- The nurses showed indomitable courage during the crisis.
- indomitable determination
- Her indomitable determination won her the scholarship.
- indomitable force
- The champion was an indomitable force on the court.
Synonyms and how they differ
- unconquerable
- Unconquerable is more literal and fits armies or mountains, while indomitable is mostly about spirit.
- unyielding
- Unyielding stresses refusing to bend or give in, and can sound stubborn, whereas indomitable sounds admirable.
- invincible
- Invincible means that it cannot be defeated at all, while indomitable means it will not give up even if it is losing.
- resolute
- Resolute is milder and describes firm purpose without the epic, never-say-die tone of indomitable.
Opposites
Word family
- indomitably adverb
- in a way that cannot be defeated
- indomitability noun
- the quality of not being beaten
- dominate verb
- to control or have power over
Commonly confused: indomitable or indomitable vs. invincible? indomitable or indominable?
indomitable vs indomitable vs. invincible
Invincible is about not being beaten, while indomitable is about not being discouraged or tamed.
indomitable vs indominable
Indominable is a common misspelling; the correct spelling has -mit-.
Practice
Which noun is most naturally described as indomitable?
Choose one answer.
Indomitable usually describes inner qualities such as spirit, will or courage. It would sound odd applied to everyday objects like those in the other options.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “indomitable”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.