不敵|ふてきfuteki[0]heiban (flat)

1. na-adjective, noundaring; fearless; intrepid; bold; tough

• Synonym大胆だいたんNeutralThe everyday word for bold; it stresses daring to act and is more neutral than 「不敵」, which adds fearlessness and a defiant streak.
• Synonym勇猛ゆうもうWrittenWritten/formal prose; it stresses brave, fearless fighting and is mostly said of armies and samurai rather than of a general attitude.
• Synonym大胆不敵だいたんふてきWrittenA four-character compound for daring fearlessness; it stresses boldness so great that nothing frightens you, more exaggerated than 「不敵」. Written/formal prose.
• Related勇ましいいさましいNeutralBrave and stirring; it stresses valorous action and can describe rousing music. Positive-leaning and neutral in register, unlike the defiant 「不敵」.
• Related勇敢ゆうかんNeutralStraightforward, complimentary bravery in the face of danger; 「不敵」 instead stresses utter fearlessness and not taking one's opponent seriously.
• Related果敢かかんWrittenWritten/formal prose; it stresses resolute, decisive boldness — acting firmly and daring to follow through — rather than fearlessness toward an opponent.
• Related雄々しいおおしいWrittenManly, heroic bravery in written/formal prose; it stresses gallant, martial bearing and is complimentary, without the defiant edge of 「不敵」.
• Related放胆ほうたんWrittenWritten and rare; it stresses decisively casting off hesitation and acting boldly, rather than 「不敵」's fearless, defiant attitude.
• Related剛勇ごうゆうWrittenWritten and rare; it denotes fierce, martial bravery and typically describes warriors or generals, not the defiant attitude of 「不敵」.
• Related豪胆ごうたんWrittenWritten/formal prose; it stresses boldness with composure — staying calm and unflustered whatever happens — rather than 「不敵」's defiance.
• Related勇烈ゆうれつWrittenWritten and rare; it describes a fierce, unyielding fighting spirit, without the provocative, looking-down-on-you nuance 「不敵」 can carry.
• Related豪猛ごうもうWrittenWritten and rare; it means ferocious and powerful, stressing raw strength and fierceness, and is mostly used of warriors.
• Related勇邁ゆうまいWrittenWritten and rare; it praises heroic, larger-than-life daring with an admiring tone, lacking 「不敵」's hint of defiance.
• Related野太いのぶといCasualColloquial; brazen, thick-skinned boldness with a negative shade, and also a deep, rough voice — the voice sense is one 「不敵」 does not have.
• Antonym臆病おくびょうNeutralIts antonym: timid and easily startled, frightened even by trivial things — the reverse of 「不敵」's fearlessness. Neutral in register.
• Antonym小心しょうしんWrittenWritten/formal prose antonym: timid and overcautious, the very opposite of 「不敵」's audacious fearlessness.

Use 「不敵」 for fearless boldness — often 「不敵な笑み」 or 「大胆不敵」 — sometimes with a defiant edge. For plain, complimentary bravery pick 「勇敢」; for everyday boldness, 「大胆」; for valorous action or rousing music, 「勇ましい」. In formal prose, 「大胆不敵」 is more exaggerated, 「豪胆」 adds calm composure, 「果敢」 decisiveness, 「勇猛」 battle valor, and 「雄々しい」 manly heroism. Opposites: 「臆病」 timid, 「小心」 overcautious.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 強つよく相手あいてにしがたいこと。
2. 無法むほうで乱暴らんぼうなこと。
3. 大胆だいたんで人ひとを人ひととも思おもわないこと。恐おそれを知しらないこと。