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Meaning & use

unflinching

adjective·Academicapproving

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UK/ʌnˈflɪntʃɪŋ/
US/ʌnˈflɪntʃɪŋ/

Meanings

  1. adjectivecomparableapproving

    Showing no fear or hesitation when facing something frightening, painful or difficult.

    Grammar: Works before a noun or after a linking verb: an unflinching gaze, or she was unflinching.

    Patterns

    • unflinching in something
    • unflinching about something

    The nurse showed unflinching calm during the emergency.

    He gave an unflinching account of what had gone wrong.

    Her unflinching loyalty kept the team together during the crisis.

  2. adjectivecomparableapproving

    Describing something in an honest and direct way without softening hard truths.

    Grammar: Used about books, reports and portrayals: an unflinching documentary.

    Patterns

    • an unflinching look at something

    The documentary takes an unflinching look at life in the prison.

    The memoir is unflinching about the author's own mistakes.

Common combinations

unflinching gaze
She met his accusations with an unflinching gaze.
unflinching honesty
The report is notable for its unflinching honesty.
unflinching look
The film offers an unflinching look at addiction.
unflinching support
He gave unflinching support to his sister throughout the trial.
unflinching courage
Firefighters showed unflinching courage in the blaze.

Synonyms and how they differ

steadfast
Steadfast stresses loyalty and firmness over time, while unflinching stresses not backing away from something hard right now.
fearless
Fearless suggests no fear at all, whereas unflinching allows for fear but not showing it.
resolute
Resolute focuses on determination to achieve a goal, not on facing the unpleasant.
unblinking
Unblinking is more literal and describes a fixed stare, often with a cold or disturbing feeling.

Opposites

hesitanttimid

Word family

flinch verb
to make a small movement of fear or pain
unflinchingly adverb
in a way that shows no fear or hesitation
flinching adjective
drawing back from fear or pain

Commonly confused: unflinching or unfeeling?

unflinching vs unfeeling

Unfeeling means lacking compassion, while unflinching means not backing away from something difficult and need not imply coldness.

Practice

The reviewer praised the novel for its ____ portrayal of war, which did not hide the horror.

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