Did you know?
Can you be scathed instead of unscathed?
We often hear of a person coming through some difficult circumstance, or dangerous endeavor, and “emerging unscathed,” yet we rarely hear of anyone “emerging scathed.” Why is this? Scathe is a word: it may function as a noun (“harm, injury”) or as a verb (“to do harm to,” “to assail with withering denunciation”). It is not as commonly found as it once was, and now primarily serves as the basis for the adjective scathing (“bitterly severe”) or for the latter portion of unscathed. So you can say that someone “emerged scathed” if you wish, but be advised that it will have a curiously archaic sound to it.
Examples of unscathed in a Sentence
Joshua Stein, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Though the offense has had its fair share of issues, the Chiefs have managed to near the postseason almost unscathed.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
Shares of Nomura have been relatively unscathed throughout the scandals, as buoyant financial markets fueled profit growth.
—Bytakashi Nakamichi, Fortune Asia, 3 Dec. 2024
For example, while one person might experience headaches and vomiting after just one drink, another might throw back whiskey gingers all night and wake up feeling tired but otherwise unscathed.
—Andee Tagle, NPR, 26 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unscathed 
Dictionary Entries Near unscathed
Cite this Entry
“Unscathed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unscathed. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unscathed
adjective
Share