steadfast

adjective

stead·​fast ˈsted-ˌfast 

also -fəst

1

: firm in allegiance to a person, belief, or cause : loyal, unswerving

Her followers have remained steadfast.

… a steadfast commitment to the rights and freedom of all.

—Michelle Wu

… firmly crossed arms pointing outward toward others, signaling a steadfast refusal to take personal responsibility.

—Rana Foroohar

2

a

: firmly fixed in place : immovable

The rig was held steadfast in the surf by a 4-ounce pyramid sinker.

—David A. Rose

Some have come and gone, and some have remained steadfast over many years.

—Lance Eliot

b

: not subject to change

… the steadfast cycles of nature.

—Lloyd Whitesell

steadfastly adverb

steadfastness

ˈsted-ˌfas(t)-nəs 

-fəs(t)-

noun

Did you know?

Steadfast has held its ground for many centuries. Its Old English predecessor, stedefæst, combines stede, meaning "place," and fæst, meaning "fixed." Steadfast was first used in battle contexts to describe warriors who literally stood their ground, which led to its "immovable" sense, as when Sinclair Lewis wrote of "a castle, steadfast among storms." (The word was also once used to describe steady hands, as well as substances that keep their solid, firm state.) These senses were soon joined by one applied to people's character, implying unswerving faith, loyalty, or devotion; arriving in the 12th century, this meaning has remained steady in the English language ever since.

Synonyms of steadfast

• loyal
• staunch
• faithful
• devout
• true
• dedicated
• devoted

Choose the Right Synonym for steadfast

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

Examples of steadfast in a Sentence

He was steadfast in his support of the governor's policies.

a steadfast supporter of women's rights

Recent Examples on the Web

The president remained steadfast in his support of Hegseth at the administration's final cabinet meeting of the year that was held this week at the White House. —Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 5 Dec. 2025

For more than 50 years, this steakhouse has endured in the minds of Nashville diners as a steadfast standby even as the city fills with ambitious concepts helmed by big-name chefs. —Mackensy Lunsford, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Dec. 2025

And Salesforce is steadfast in its belief that Agentforce usage will continue to grow as companies become an agentic enterprise, meaning systems can operate autonomously . —Jeff Marks, CNBC, 4 Dec. 2025

When Vladimir Putin’s plane touches down in New Delhi on Thursday, he will be met with the pomp and ceremony reserved for one of India’s most steadfast partners. —Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 3 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English stedefast, from Old English stedefæst, from stede + fæst fixed, fast

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Rhymes for steadfast

• aghast
• amassed
• biassed
• broadcast
• bypassed
• downcast
• forecast
• foremast
• harassed
• holdfast
• mainmast
• newscast

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Kids Definition

steadfast

adjective

stead·​fast ˈsted-ˌfast 

1

a

: firmly fixed in place

b

: not subject to change

a steadfast purpose

2

: firm in belief, determination, or allegiance

steadfast friends

steadfastly adverb

steadfastness

-ˌfas(t)-nəs 

noun