Definition of faithfulnext

faithful

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word faithful distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of faithful are constant, loyal, resolute, staunch, and steadfast. While all these words mean "firm in adherence to whatever one owes allegiance," faithful implies unswerving adherence to a person or thing or to the oath or promise by which a tie was contracted.

faithful to her promise

When might constant be a better fit than faithful?

The words constant and faithful can be used in similar contexts, but constant stresses continuing firmness of emotional attachment without necessarily implying strict obedience to promises or vows.

constant friends

When would loyal be a good substitute for faithful?

While the synonyms loyal and faithful are close in meaning, loyal implies a firm resistance to any temptation to desert or betray.

remained loyal to the czar

When is it sensible to use resolute instead of faithful?

Although the words resolute and faithful have much in common, resolute implies firm determination to adhere to a cause or purpose.

a resolute ally

When can staunch be used instead of faithful?

The synonyms staunch and faithful are sometimes interchangeable, but staunch suggests fortitude and resolution in adherence and imperviousness to influences that would weaken it.

a staunch defender of free speech

When could steadfast be used to replace faithful?

The meanings of steadfast and faithful largely overlap; however, steadfast implies a steady and unwavering course in love, allegiance, or conviction.

steadfast in their support

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of faithful
Adjective
After months of goodbyes, his faithful parishioners came one last time for his final Mass in the church at Township Line and Burmont roads Tuesday morning. Joe Holden, CBS News, 30 June 2026 Clicking on each one brings up a capsule biography and a semi-faithful version of an authentic portrait; the effect is as if the user were turning off a George Washington face filter. Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
Noun
The passionate and boisterous Argentina fans greatly outnumbered the green-and-white-attired Algerian faithful. Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 17 June 2026 More than two years on since its season two premiere, HBO’s House of the Dragon came back with a season three premiere that wasted no time throwing the Westeros faithful back into the deep end. Josh Wigler, HollywoodReporter, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for faithful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for faithful
Adjective
  • But the star has cultivated a loyal collective of her favorite brands, including Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Stella McCartney and Area (recall her famous Super Bowl jeans).
    Morgan Evans, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • Acquirers should look for these kinds of recurring and diversified revenues, as well as assess whether the brand has a loyal community.
    Simon Corbett, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Adjective
  • Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
    Charlie Carballo, USA Today, 7 July 2026
  • ISPs would be well within their rights to advertise accurate monthly prices and charge those exact prices on monthly bills.
    Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 6 July 2026
Noun
  • Not only is the brewery owned by the brewery members, but those members contribute to beer recipes—over 500 of them since the cooperative was founded in 2011.
    Don Tse, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
  • In 2010, more than a dozen apple growers sued the University of Minnesota for awarding exclusive rights to its SweeTango apple to an orchard that organized a cooperative of growers to market the variety.
    Claire Rush, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • The only blot on an otherwise solid opening week for the World Cup expansion loyalists.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • At the same time, East Florida's population was growing as British loyalists fled Georgia and the Carolinas to escape harassment from supporters of independence.
    Hank Tester, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • To his supporters, Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was the steadfast, fearless leader who transcended mere politics and inspired devotion.
    Xiaoqian Lin, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • Each project generated steadfast opposition from the city's neighborhoods, calling into question how the city should regulate the advanced technology centers.
    Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 July 2026
Adjective
  • This underscores how Apple's control over its devices, from hardware to software, limits true ownership and poses challenges for long-term digital preservation.
    Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • If religion is corrupted by breaking down the wall of separation, much the same is true of the state.
    Kenneth Seeskin, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Noun
  • While a commune might evoke group meetings, rules, and chore charts, the mommune is far less rigid about who does and pays for what.
    Kayla Levy, Curbed, 25 June 2026
  • Two young children were killed by heat in a car, prosecutors in the southern commune of Carpentras said in a statement Wednesday.
    Alex Holmes, NBC news, 24 June 2026
Noun
  • All the gold is gone, and there’s barely enough to pay her soldiers, let alone throw a lavish coronation.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • Thirty-two Cuban soldiers working security for Maduro were killed in the raid.
    Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 6 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Faithful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/faithful. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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