stalwart

1 of 2

adjective

stal·​wart ˈstȯl-wərt 

: marked by outstanding strength and vigor of body, mind, or spirit

stalwart common sense

stalwartly adverb

stalwartness noun

stalwart

2 of 2

noun

1

: a stalwart person

2

: an unwavering partisan

Did you know?

Sometime in the 15th century, English speakers began to use stalwart in place of the older form stalworth. Although stalworth is now archaic, it laid the groundwork for today's meaning of stalwart. During the 12th century, forms of stalworth began to be used to describe strongly built people or animals (a meaning stalwart carries). It also came to be used as an adjective for people who showed bravery or courage (likewise a meaning passed on to stalwart). So, in a way, stalwart has been serviceable in keeping the spirit of stalworth alive. This character of stalwart is true to its roots. Stalworth came from the Old English word stǣlwierthe (meaning "serviceable"), which, in turn, is thought to come from terms meaning "foundation" and "worth."

Synonyms of stalwart

Adjective

• valiant
• courageous
• brave
• fearless
• gallant
• heroic

Choose the Right Synonym for stalwart

strong, stout, sturdy, stalwart, tough, tenacious mean showing power to resist or to endure.

strong may imply power derived from muscular vigor, large size, structural soundness, intellectual or spiritual resources.

strong arms

the defense has a strong case

stout suggests an ability to endure stress, pain, or hard use without giving way.

stout hiking boots

sturdy implies strength derived from vigorous growth, determination of spirit, solidity of construction.

a sturdy table

people of sturdy independence

stalwart suggests an unshakable dependability.

stalwart environmentalists

tough implies great firmness and resiliency.

a tough political opponent

tenacious suggests strength in seizing, retaining, clinging to, or holding together.

tenacious farmers clinging to an age-old way of life

Examples of stalwart in a Sentence

Adjective

their strong and stalwart son

the stalwart soldiers in the army of Alexander the Great, who willingly followed him to the ends of the known world

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Spare as a schoolyard chant, stalwart producer Kenny Laguna created a perfect back-and-forth between crisp handclaps and dirty chords. — Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026

Former stalwart supporters, such as Tucker Carlson, are openly mocking the president. — Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 4 July 2026

Noun

Chanel, Gucci, Balenciaga, Dior, and more leading houses have hired new creative directors, making Vaccarello one of the sole stalwarts in luxury fashion. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 6 July 2026

At the Hollywood Bowl, pop rock stalwarts the Beach Boys were scheduled to headline the iconic venue’s annual fireworks spectacular, with founding member Mike Love at the helm. — Daily News, 4 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, alteration of stalworth, from Old English stǣlwierthe serviceable

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

stalwart

1 of 2 adjective

stal·​wart ˈstȯl-wərt 

: marked by outstanding strength and vigor of mind, body, or spirit

has stalwart common sense

a stalwart team of rescuers

stalwartly adverb

stalwart

2 of 2 noun

1

: a stalwart person

2

: a loyal supporter (as in politics)