loyalist

noun

loy·​al·​ist ˈlȯi-ə-list How to pronounce loyalist (audio)
: one who is or remains loyal especially to a political cause, party, government, or sovereign

Examples of loyalist in a Sentence

die-hard loyalists engaging in espionage against the revolutionaries
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Trump's administration has cut funding to federal cultural agencies and installed loyalists in key leadership roles. Tim Ryan, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025 Her parents were left-leaning, but like so many other Italians, hid their views from their children for fear of retribution from Mussolini’s loyalists. Suzanne Cope july 3, Literary Hub, 3 July 2025 JetBlue loyalists will soon have to say farewell to its Miami route. Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 2 July 2025 Subversive Marketing The marketing campaign kicked off in a thoroughly unconventional way with a tongue-in-check apology to JCPenney loyalists for letting their secret shopping destination out. Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for loyalist

Word History

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of loyalist was in 1647

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Cite this Entry

“Loyalist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loyalist. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

loyalist

noun
loy·​al·​ist ˈlȯi-ə-ləst How to pronounce loyalist (audio)
: one who is or remains loyal to a political cause, government, or sovereign especially in times of revolt

More from Merriam-Webster on loyalist

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