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

Adjective

• bold
• brave
• courageous
• dauntless
• doughty
• fearless
• gallant
• greathearted
• gutsy
• gutty
• heroic
• heroical
• intrepid
• lionhearted
• manful
• stout
• stouthearted
• undauntable
• undaunted
• valiant
• valorous

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

His allies have drawn up plans to pack the DOJ with stalwart allies who would be unlikely to reject controversial orders from Mr. Trump and restructure the department to empower political appointees rather than career officials. —Cameron Joseph, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 July 2024

There is a sense that Fast is rounding out his offering with more complete layered looks in this collection, while delivering the thrill of a cutting-edge trend; a longstanding skill that has netted him a stalwart celebrity clientele (among which are names such as Rihanna, Beyoncé and Nicki Minaj). —Nina-Sophia Miralles, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024

Noun

Colorado Rockies stalwart Charlie Blackmon will hang his baseball cleats for good once this miserable season ends on Sunday. —Esteban L. Hernandez, Axios, 27 Sep. 2024

Flores has deployed his defensive stalwarts in a way that is truly challenging for opposing quarterbacks and offensive coordinators to decipher. —Steve Silverman, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024

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

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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)