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intrepid

adjective
in·​trep·​id | \ in-ˈtre-pÉ™d How to pronounce intrepid (audio) \

Definition of intrepid

: characterized by resolute fearlessness, fortitude, and endurance an intrepid explorer
Other Words from intrepid Synonyms & Antonyms Don't Be Afraid to Learn About Intrepid More Example Sentences Learn More about intrepid

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Other Words from intrepid

intrepidity \ ËŒin-​trÉ™-​ˈpi-​dÉ™-​tÄ“ How to pronounce intrepidity (audio) \ noun
intrepidly \ in-​ˈtre-​pÉ™d-​lÄ“ How to pronounce intrepidly (audio) \ adverb
intrepidness noun

Don't Be Afraid to Learn About Intrepid

You need not be afraid to find out the origins of today’s word, although its history does include fear. Intrepid derives from the Latin word intrepidus, itself formed by the combination of the prefix in- (meaning "not") and trepidus, meaning "alarmed." Other relatives of "trepidus" in English include "trepidation" and "trepidatious," as well as "trepid" (which actually predates "intrepid" and means "fearful") and even the rare "trepidity" (a synonym for "trepidation" in the sense of "fear, apprehension"). Synonyms for "intrepid" include "courageous," "valiant," "fearless," "valorous," and simply "brave."

Examples of intrepid in a Sentence

The heroes are intrepid small-business owners, investigative reporters, plaintiffs and their lawyers, and, of course, Nader himself and his grass-roots organizations. — Jonathan Chait, New York Times Book Review, 3 Feb. 2008 Author and explorer Dame Freya Stark was one of the most intrepid adventurers of all time. (T. E. Lawrence, no slouch in the travel department himself, called her "gallant" and "remarkable.") — Kimberly Robinson, Travel & Leisure, December 1999 Meanwhile, the intrepid Florentine traveler Marco Polo had been to China and brought back with him a noodle dish that became Italian pasta … — Norman F. Cantor, The Civilization of the Middle Ages, 1993 an intrepid explorer who probed parts of the rain forest never previously attempted
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Steven Soderbergh's latest film takes the familiar intrepid reporter movie—think Spotlight, or the (also Meryl Streep-starring) The Post—and shifts the frame. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "In The Laundromat, Meryl Streep Uncovers Gary Oldman and Antonio Banderas's Dirty Dealings," 29 Aug. 2019 This article was adapted from a speech Bertrand Piccard gave at the Global Exploration Summit in Lisbon, a gathering of The Explorer’s Club’s most intrepid members. — Bertrand Piccard, Quartz, "How to fight climate change without fighting capitalism," 26 Aug. 2019 But this intrepid telescope has faced major challenges in its lifetime. — Shannon Stirone, WIRED, "Space Photos of the Week: Hubbub Over Hubble," 24 Aug. 2019 Our intrepid food reporters Lucas Kwan Peterson and Jenn Harris put their stomachs on the line in a head-to-head taste test to determine, once and for all, which sandwich reigns supreme. — Los Angeles Times, "It’s a chicken sandwich smackdown! Popeyes vs. Chick-fil-A: Who will reign supreme?," 21 Aug. 2019 The Snowman Trek has a 50 percent success rate, and poor conditions force most intrepid visitors to turn back. — National Geographic, "How Ultramarathon Runners Took on World's Most Difficult Trail," 18 Apr. 2018 Other setbacks that might be insurmountable to less intrepid competitors are his sports injuries. — Ramona Sentinel, "Denney has high hopes of winning motorcycle contest," 15 Aug. 2019 However, intrepid winemakers in the Barossa Valley—such as Dr. Christopher Rawson Penfold, founder of Penfold’s Grange—had a different experience with the grape in the region’s hot climate, and deemed Shiraz worthy of its own label. — Fortune, "Australia’s New Wave of Winemakers Won’t Make Shiraz," 11 Aug. 2019 Ever the intrepid reporter, Salie decided to get to the bottom of this, and with a little help transforms into a mermaid herself! — CBS News, "A tale of mermaids," 11 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'intrepid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of intrepid

1680, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for intrepid

Latin intrepidus, from in- + trepidus alarmed — more at trepidation

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More Definitions for intrepid

intrepid

adjective
How to pronounce intrepid (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of intrepid

literary + often humorous : feeling no fear : very bold or brave

See the full definition for intrepid in the English Language Learners Dictionary

intrepid

adjective
in·​trep·​id | \ in-ˈtre-pÉ™d How to pronounce intrepid (audio) \

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