Synonym Chooser

How is the word fealty distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of fealty are allegiance, devotion, fidelity, loyalty, and piety. While all these words mean "faithfulness to something to which one is bound by pledge or duty," fealty implies a fidelity acknowledged by the individual and as compelling as a sworn vow.

fealty to the truth

Where would allegiance be a reasonable alternative to fealty?

While the synonyms allegiance and fealty are close in meaning, allegiance suggests an adherence like that of citizens to their country.

pledging allegiance

In what contexts can devotion take the place of fealty?

The meanings of devotion and fealty largely overlap; however, devotion stresses zeal and service amounting to self-dedication.

a painter's devotion to her art

When could fidelity be used to replace fealty?

While in some cases nearly identical to fealty, fidelity implies strict and continuing faithfulness to an obligation, trust, or duty.

marital fidelity

When would loyalty be a good substitute for fealty?

The words loyalty and fealty are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, loyalty implies a faithfulness that is steadfast in the face of any temptation to renounce, desert, or betray.

valued the loyalty of his friends

When might piety be a better fit than fealty?

The synonyms piety and fealty are sometimes interchangeable, but piety stresses fidelity to obligations regarded as natural and fundamental.

filial piety

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of fealty Then Colum joins him on the ground, promising Dougal his fealty in times of war. Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 15 Aug. 2025 The whole of clan MacKenzie descends upon Castle Leoch to pay their respects and also attend the Gathering, in which there are games and feasts and boar hunts and, most important, the oath-taking, in which the new laird will be chosen and everyone will pledge their fealty to him. Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2025 The new Trumpian trade regime, featuring tribute transfers to the hegemon as well as high tariff walls, resembles the extractive economic policies of the Ming dynasty more than the open trade order to which American Presidents from Harry Truman to Barack Obama pledged fealty. John Cassidy, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2025 The administration has disregarded events in Gaza and has hollowed out the FBI and intelligence services, putting fealty to the president above competence for the job. Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 5 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for fealty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fealty
Noun
  • The suspect behind last week’s deadly car and knife terror attack outside a synagogue in Manchester allegedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, authorities said.
    Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2025
  • This decision holds the condition that a citizen birth is to a parent owing allegiance as a legal resident.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • However, frequent flyers may be able to obtain a free or discounted membership through their credit card or airline loyalty program.
    Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 10 Oct. 2025
  • In the process, the land is torn apart by fierce rivals, shifting loyalties and bloody betrayals.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • That would dwarf commitments from the European Union, Japan and South Korea.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Their leadership, generosity, and unwavering commitment to advancing mental health awareness have made a profound difference in the lives of so many.
    Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • This dedication earned him a city proclamation recognizing his impact on Kansas City’s art scene.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Her passion and commitment to the environmental movement in Brazil and beyond, and her dedication to amplifying solutions will be invaluable to our mission.
    Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • England’s long-standing devotion to a national stadium is relatively unusual, certainly among their European peers.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The school is founded on Islamic principles and emphasizes the importance of being a global citizen, doing good to others, cleanliness and devotion.
    Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Unfortunately for Figure, there aren’t yet simulations that mimic the real world with enough fidelity to be useful for training more complex tasks—hence the ongoing need for human pilots.
    Billy Perrigo, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Its agility is powered by high-fidelity sensors and advanced motion planning algorithms that enable smooth, coordinated movements.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fealty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fealty. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.

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