loyalist

noun

loy·​al·​ist ˈlȯi-ə-list 

: one who is or remains loyal especially to a political cause, party, government, or sovereign

Synonyms of loyalist

• patriot

Examples of loyalist in a Sentence

die-hard loyalists engaging in espionage against the revolutionaries

Recent Examples on the Web

With former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in custody in New York, his former Vice President Delcy Rodríguez — a Maduro loyalist and leading figure within the regime for nearly eight years — has been sworn in as the acting president of Venezuela. —Lilia Luciano, CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026

Rodríguez, whom the White House sees as a capable partner on economic issues, will face the challenge of fielding US demands without being perceived by Maduro loyalists as too conciliatory to Washington. —J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 5 Jan. 2026

Rodríguez, however, remains one of the Venezuelan regime’s staunchest loyalists. —Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026

Trump wants loyalists, not competence. —Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing loyalist

• party loyalist

Rhymes for loyalist

• royalist

Kids Definition

loyalist

noun

loy·​al·​ist ˈlȯi-ə-ləst 

: one who is or remains loyal to a political cause, government, or sovereign especially in times of revolt