unbroken

unbroken — adjective

1. still in one piece; not cracked, split, torn, or otherwise physically damaged.

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

still in one piece; not cracked, split, torn, or otherwise physically damaged.

Example

The package arrived with its seal still unbroken, so we knew nothing had been taken out.

collocation: seal unbroken

Jiwoo checked every egg in the carton and was relieved to find them all unbroken.

Common collocations
  • seal unbroken
  • lock unbroken
  • stay unbroken
  • remain unbroken
Synonyms
  • intact

    more formal; emphasizes that nothing is missing or damaged

  • whole

    simpler, everyday word; can also mean 'complete' rather than undamaged

  • undamaged

    more direct but less common in everyday speech

Antonyms
  • broken

    direct opposite in the physical sense

  • cracked

    partially damaged rather than fully broken

Usage Note

Commonly describes seals, packaging, locks, containers, and fragile objects after transport or impact.

2. having strong inner strength and not defeated in spirit by difficult or painful

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

having strong inner strength and not defeated in spirit by difficult or painful experiences.

Example

Despite three years in a refugee camp, Sade's spirit remained unbroken and full of hope.

collocation: spirit remains unbroken

Noa's will was unbroken even after the doctors told her she might never walk again.

Common collocations
  • spirit unbroken
  • will unbroken
  • determination stays unbroken
  • courage remained unbroken
Synonyms
  • undefeated

    stronger; implies active resistance and victory over hardship

  • resilient

    more formal; emphasizes ability to recover quickly

  • indomitable

    very formal and literary; describes a spirit that cannot be tamed or defeated

Antonyms
  • defeated

    direct opposite; feeling completely beaten

  • broken

    common opposite for describing lost spirit or will

Usage Note

Subject is typically an abstract noun: spirit, will, determination, morale, courage, or confidence. Rarely used for physical objects in this sense.

Common Mistakes

His unbroken leg helped him keep going.
His unbroken spirit helped him keep going.
'unbroken' for emotional strength must describe the person's inner state, not a body part.

3. happening or existing without any pauses, stops, or interruptions.

3.adjectiveB2
Definition

happening or existing without any pauses, stops, or interruptions.

Example

The band played an unbroken set of songs that lasted for nearly two hours.

collocation: unbroken set / stretch

Wren could hear the unbroken hum of the highway from her bedroom all night long.

Common collocations
  • unbroken line
  • unbroken tradition
  • unbroken silence
  • unbroken stretch
  • unbroken set
Synonyms
  • continuous

    the most direct synonym; slightly more common in technical writing

  • uninterrupted

    emphasises the absence of disruption rather than mere duration

  • seamless

    suggests smooth transitions; more about quality than duration

Antonyms
  • broken

    common opposite for interrupted sequences

  • interrupted

    more precise for a sequence with pauses

Usage Note

Frequently paired with time-related nouns: 'unbroken silence,' 'unbroken tradition,' 'unbroken line,' 'unbroken stretch.' Not used for physical objects in this sense.

4. stretching out with the same appearance over a distance, without being broken up

4.adjectiveC1
Definition

stretching out with the same appearance over a distance, without being broken up by buildings, roads, trees, or other features.

Example

From the hilltop, Andrés could see an unbroken expanse of green fields stretching to the horizon.

collocation: unbroken expanse

The desert stretched in an unbroken line of sand dunes as far as the eye could see.

Common collocations
  • unbroken expanse
  • unbroken stretch
  • unbroken line
  • unbroken sheet
Synonyms
  • continuous

    less specific to landscape; can describe anything unbroken in space

  • endless

    emphasises the visual impression of no boundary, not literal infinity

  • uninterrupted

    focuses on the absence of obstacles or changes

Antonyms
  • broken

    (of land) broken up by features like rocks, buildings, or ditches

  • uneven

    emphasises irregularity of surface rather than interruption

Usage Note

Typically describes natural landscapes — plains, deserts, ice sheets, coastlines, or expanses of fields. The word 'expanse' or 'stretch' often follows.

5. still standing as the best performance; never surpassed by another competitor in

5.adjectiveB2
Definition

still standing as the best performance; never surpassed by another competitor in a given event.

Example

The swimmer's record of seven gold medals at a single Olympics remains unbroken to this day.

collocation: record remains unbroken

The 100-metre sprint world record has stayed unbroken for over twelve years now.

Common collocations
  • record remains unbroken
  • stood unbroken
  • stay unbroken
  • long-unbroken record
  • unbroken streak
Synonyms
  • unbeaten

    more common in sports; can also describe a team or player that hasn't lost

  • unsurpassed

    more formal; means no one has done better

  • standing

    as in 'standing record'; emphasises that it still holds

Antonyms
  • broken

    direct opposite; a record that has been surpassed

  • beaten

    common in sports contexts

Usage Note

Often used with 'record,' 'streak,' or 'score.' When describing a streak of wins, overlaps with sense 3 (continuous) — the distinguishing feature here is the competitive achievement aspect.

Common Mistakes

His unbroken leg set a new school record.
His unbroken record in the 400 metres set a new school standard.
'unbroken record' describes an achievement that has not been surpassed, not a physical state.

6. still wild and unfamiliar with human handling; not yet accustomed to being ridde

6.adjectiveC1
Definition

still wild and unfamiliar with human handling; not yet accustomed to being ridden or controlled by a person.

Example

The young rancher spent several months trying to tame the unbroken horse from the mountains.

Tuan watched as the cowboys worked patiently with an unbroken stallion in the dusty pen.

collocation: work with an unbroken horse

Common collocations
  • unbroken horse
  • unbroken stallion
  • unbroken mare
  • work with an unbroken horse
Synonyms
  • untamed

    broader; can describe any wild animal or even a person

  • wild

    simpler but less specific; describes natural state rather than lack of training

  • unridden

    more specific; means the horse has never had a rider

Antonyms
  • broken

    standard opposite in horse-training contexts

  • tamed

    less technical; refers to general tameness rather than riding readiness

Usage Note

Almost exclusively used for horses. Not used for other animals (pets, dogs, etc.) in modern English. The related verb is 'break' (to break a horse = to train it to be ridden).

Common Mistakes

Their puppy is still unbroken.
Their horse is still unbroken.
'unbroken' in this sense applies only to horses in riding/working contexts.

7. still in effect and faithfully kept; not ignored, broken, or acted against, espe

7.adjectiveC1
Definition

still in effect and faithfully kept; not ignored, broken, or acted against, especially about a promise or contract.

Example

After thirty years of marriage, his promise to stand by her in every difficulty remained unbroken.

collocation: promise remained unbroken

The peace treaty between the two nations stayed unbroken for more than a generation.

Common collocations
  • promise remained unbroken
  • contract remained unbroken
  • word kept unbroken
  • treaty stayed unbroken
Synonyms
  • kept

    simpler, everyday word; 'a kept promise' is far more common in conversation

  • honoured

    more formal; often used for contracts and formal agreements

  • upheld

    legal tone; common in court or official contexts

Antonyms
  • broken

    direct opposite; 'a broken promise' is a very common phrase

  • violated

    stronger; implies deliberate disregard, often in legal contexts

Usage Note

This sense is formal and typically found in legal, diplomatic, or serious personal contexts. 'Unbroken promise' is less common in everyday speech than 'kept promise.'

8. not turned over or prepared by a plow for planting crops.

8.adjectiveC1
Definition

not turned over or prepared by a plow for planting crops.

Example

The farmer left a strip of land unbroken along the river to protect the soil from washing away.

collocation: land left unbroken

Fields that stay unbroken for several years often become home to wildflowers and small animals.

Common collocations
  • land left unbroken
  • ground stays unbroken
  • unbroken soil
  • unbroken field
Synonyms
  • unplowed

    direct synonym; more common in American English

  • unploughed

    same meaning; more common in British English

  • fallow

    distinct meaning: left unplanted intentionally, possibly after having been plowed

Antonyms
  • plowed

    direct opposite; prepared for planting

  • tilled

    more general term for preparing soil

Usage Note

Belongs to agricultural vocabulary. 'Unbroken land' is sometimes interchangeable with 'unplowed land' in farming contexts. Different from sense 4 (unchanging landscape) because it focuses on the state of cultivation rather than visual appearance.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/3

All three words describe something that happens or exists without a break, but they differ in focus. 'Continuous' is the most general and neutral term — it simply means 'going on without stopping' and works for time, space, or sequences (a continuous hum, continuous growth). 'Uninterrupted' adds the idea that something could have stopped or been disrupted but was not (an uninterrupted view, uninterrupted sleep) — it implies a fortunate absence of obstacles. 'Seamless' is the most positive of the three; it suggests that the parts join together so smoothly that no boundary is visible (a seamless transition, seamless integration), making it ideal for design, technology, or performance contexts. For example: 'The factory runs continuous production' (no stops at all); 'She enjoyed an uninterrupted afternoon of reading' (no one disturbed her); 'The video editor created a seamless blend of scenes' (you cannot see the cuts).

continuous ↗uninterrupted ↗seamless ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • spirit unbroken
  • record unbroken
  • promise unbroken
  • seal unbroken

Adverbs

  • still unbroken
  • yet unbroken
  • remain unbroken
  • stay unbroken
  • long unbroken

Phrases

  • unbroken line of
  • unbroken stretch of
  • unbroken expanse of

Etymology

Proto-Indo-EuropeanProto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Formed in English by adding the prefix 'un-' (meaning 'not') to 'broken', the past participle of 'break'. The word 'break' comes from Old English 'brecan', which has roots in Proto-Germanic 'brekaną' and ultimately the Proto-Indo-European 'bhreg-' (to break). 'Unbroken' has been used in English since the 14th century, originally for physical objects and gradually extending to abstract meanings such as promises and spirits.