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unshaken
/ʌnˈʃeɪkən/
firm and resolute
Despite the criticism, she remained unshaken in her beliefs.
She stayed firm and resolute despite the criticism.
formal
not disturbed, upset, or changed; steady and resolute
His confidence was unshaken even after the setback.
He stayed confident despite the failure.
The team's unshaken determination led them to victory.
Their steadfast resolve helped them win.
Often used to describe emotional or mental steadiness in the face of adversity.
Collocations
unshaken faithstrong and unwavering beliefremain unshakenstay steadfast and unperturbed
Pro Tip
Avoid confusion with 'unshakeable'
'Unshaken' describes a state of being, while 'unshakeable' (e.g., 'unshakeable trust') emphasizes an inherent quality. They are often interchangeable but 'unshakeable' is more common in modern usage.
Gold Rule
Use 'unshaken' for emotional steadiness
Reserve 'unshaken' for contexts involving emotional or mental resolve, not physical stability (e.g., 'The building remained unshaken by the earthquake' is incorrect; use 'undamaged' or 'unharmed' instead).
Word Origin
From Middle English 'unshaken', from Old English 'unsceacen' (past participle of 'sceacan' meaning 'to shake'), with the prefix 'un-' indicating negation.
Usage Notes
Primarily used in formal or literary contexts to describe emotional or mental stability. Less common in casual speech.
Word Breakdown
un-
not
prefixshaken
past participle of 'shake' (disturbed or upset)
rootEnglish Dictionary