Definition of FAITHFULNESS

Choose the Right Synonym for faithful

Adjective

faithful, loyal, constant, staunch, steadfast, resolute 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 loyal implies a firm resistance to any temptation to desert or betray. remained loyal to the czar constant stresses continuing firmness of emotional attachment without necessarily implying strict obedience to promises or vows. constant friends staunch suggests fortitude and resolution in adherence and imperviousness to influences that would weaken it. a staunch defender of free speech steadfast implies a steady and unwavering course in love, allegiance, or conviction. steadfast in their support resolute implies firm determination to adhere to a cause or purpose. a resolute ally

Adjective

faithful, loyal, and true mean firm in devotion to something. faithful is used of someone who has a firm and constant devotion to something to which he or she is united by or as if by a promise or pledge. Always be faithful to your duty. loyal is used of someone who firmly refuses to desert or betray someone or something. Most volunteers are loyal to their country. true is used of a person who is personally devoted to someone or something. She was a true friend who would help in time of need.

Examples of faithful in a Sentence

Adjective

She has provided the company with many years of faithful service. He insists that he has always been faithful to his wife.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

France is under heavy pressure from its own faithful given the recent lack of trophies compared to the richness of talent. — Juan Pimiento, chicagotribune.com, "Neymar's dashing return, Germany's slump and the best of the soccer weekend," 3 June 2018 The area will be buzzing with the activity of pilgrims, and stalls selling offerings to the faithful. — Antonia Neubauer, Town & Country, "How to Plan a Trip to Asia," 5 Oct. 2016 At the designer’s request, the 23-year-old half-Japanese, half-Mexican stunner and faithful Wang Gang member ditched her dark raven hue and went platinum blonde. — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, "This Wang Gang Model Just Went Extreme Platinum Blonde for the Alexander Wang Runway," 2 Dec. 2018 The arrival of new players, coaches and backroom staff, and kits this summer had already got fans excited, but this could be the icing on the cake for the Newcastle faithful. — SI.com, "Newcastle United Fans Are Sent Into Frenzy as Unknown Player Is Pictured in Kit," 11 July 2018 Hungary’s is not one of the world’s great cuisines and the Gay Hussar’s rendering of it was more faithful than inspired. — The Economist, "Last orders for political drinking," 31 May 2018 Francis lands Saturday in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius to begin four-day, three-country trip that will feature encounters with political leaders as well as the Catholic, Lutheran and Russian Orthodox faithful. — Fox News, "The Latest: Pope Francis arrives in Lithuanian capital," 22 Sep. 2018 Perhaps the Vatican calculated that with oppression getting worse, even a bad agreement might carve out some breathing room for its faithful on the Chinese mainland. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "The Vatican’s China Syndrome," 14 Sep. 2018 The early Christian fathers were troubled by the possibility that the faithful might identify the Garden of Eden’s trees of life and knowledge, described in the Book of Genesis, with paganism’s divine trees and sacred groves. — Amanda Foreman, WSJ, "Trees of Life and Wonder," 13 Dec. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The court was cleared, and Mississippi State tossed a futile inbounds pass into the lane as the buzzer sounded, starting a wild celebration among the Irish faithful who were part of the sellout crowd in Columbus, Ohio. — Samuel Chamberlain, Fox News, "Notre Dame buzzer-beater stuns Mississippi State in NCAA women's title game," 1 Apr. 2018 The Oranje faithful can often be seen all dressed in eye catching, luminous orange, whereas some opt to dress in unusual costumes. — SI.com, "7 of the Most Passionate Fans in World Cup History," 26 June 2018 Of course, the brand has since gone on to make more modern iterations, which appear to be the reason why UD is killing off its old faithfuls. — Zoe Weiner, Glamour, "Whoa: Urban Decay Is Discontinuing Its Iconic Naked Palette," 23 Aug. 2018 Although this latest research is not definitive, generations of the faithful will continue to be fascinated by the Shroud of Turin. — Christopher Carbone, Fox News, "Bloodstains on Shroud of Turin are probably fake, experts say," 16 July 2018 An actual tryst requires people to be physically present in the same place, but foreplay can happen anytime, anywhere – and the faithful may have no idea. — Kim Komando, Fox News, "8 clever ways that tech can reveal a cheating spouse," 15 Sep. 2018 To the teams’ faithful, this matchup is a litmus test. — Rachel Bachman, WSJ, "The Return of the College Football Matchup Fans Love to Hate," 30 Aug. 2018 More than 1 million faithfuls attending his final mass during a six-day visit to Latin America. — Kainaz Amaria, Vox, "2018, explained in pictures by women and non-binary photographers," 21 Dec. 2018 Addressing a conference of his ruling party faithful in the capital, Recep Tayyip Erdogan added fuel to the spat with the U.S., even as local business groups called on his government to settle it. — Suzan Fraser, The Seattle Times, "Turkey’s Erdogan vows US boycott, but diplomats resume talks," 14 Aug. 2018

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