ALLEGIANCE Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'allegiance' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of allegiance are devotion , fealty , fidelity , loyalty , and piety . While all these words mean "faithfulness to something to which one is bound by pledge or duty," allegiance suggests an adherence like that of citizens to their country. // pledging allegiance

Q: When might 'devotion' be a better fit than 'allegiance'?

While the synonyms devotion and allegiance are close in meaning, devotion stresses zeal and service amounting to self-dedication. // a painter's devotion to her art

Q: When would 'fealty' be a good substitute for 'allegiance'?

Although the words fealty and allegiance have much in common, fealty implies a fidelity acknowledged by the individual and as compelling as a sworn vow. // fealty to the truth

Q: When could 'fidelity' be used to replace 'allegiance'?

The words fidelity and allegiance can be used in similar contexts, but fidelity implies strict and continuing faithfulness to an obligation, trust, or duty. // marital fidelity

Q: In what contexts can 'loyalty' take the place of 'allegiance'?

The words loyalty and allegiance 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

Q: When can 'piety' be used instead of 'allegiance'?

The meanings of piety and allegiance largely overlap; however, piety stresses fidelity to obligations regarded as natural and fundamental. // filial piety

allegiance

noun

ə-ˈlē-jən(t)s

Definition of allegiance

as in loyalty

adherence to something to which one is bound by a pledge or duty torn between his allegiance to his native country and the opportunities a sports career in the U.S. could offer

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How is the word allegiance distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of allegiance are devotion, fealty, fidelity, loyalty, and piety. While all these words mean "faithfulness to something to which one is bound by pledge or duty," allegiance suggests an adherence like that of citizens to their country.

pledging allegiance

When might devotion be a better fit than allegiance?

While the synonyms devotion and allegiance are close in meaning, devotion stresses zeal and service amounting to self-dedication.

a painter's devotion to her art

When would fealty be a good substitute for allegiance?

Although the words fealty and allegiance have much in common, fealty implies a fidelity acknowledged by the individual and as compelling as a sworn vow.

fealty to the truth

When could fidelity be used to replace allegiance?

The words fidelity and allegiance can be used in similar contexts, but fidelity implies strict and continuing faithfulness to an obligation, trust, or duty.

marital fidelity

In what contexts can loyalty take the place of allegiance?

The words loyalty and allegiance 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 can piety be used instead of allegiance?

The meanings of piety and allegiance largely overlap; however, 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 allegiance Inspired, perhaps, by Haaland’s incredible performance to switch allegiances. — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 5 July 2026 Drivers pledged their allegiance to Trump with decals and bumper stickers. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026 Ahead of the big game, Donna appeared on the Today show and discussed her Super Bowl allegiances. — Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026 It's been 250 years since the sweltering days in Philadelphia when the Continental Congress met to sever its allegiance to the British crown. — Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for allegiance

Recent Examples of Synonyms for allegiance

Noun

Set in and around the heart of bourbon country, the series mines explosive comedy from ideological collision and dysfunctional family loyalty.

— Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 13 July 2026
The show has certainly savaged Democrats at times, but its progressive loyalties have only grown clearer over the years.

— Chris Smith, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026

Definition of loyalty

Noun

Supporters are set to get their first glimpse of French defender Jeremy Jacquet after his arrival from Rennes, but fellow new signing Victor Munoz won’t be involved following his World Cup commitments with Spain.

— James Pearce, New York Times, 20 July 2026
The support included major funding commitments totaling billions of dollars for 2026 and 2027, and official acknowledgment of Ukraine’s transition from aid beneficiary to transatlantic security contributor.

— Ihor N. Stelmach, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026

Definition of commitment

Noun

His work on the show was commemorated with a special dedication.

— Angelique Jackson, Variety, 11 July 2026
But the skillful way in which they are woven together belies the efforts that went into telling this story, and Lovely Reader, this dedication to quality fascinates me.

— Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of dedication

Noun

At the core of what Earth linguistics is to me, is just a devotion to learning more than human language and integrating that into my own language as a way of expanding my conception of the world.

— Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2026
In a broadly sweet, vivacious and gorgeously sung set Tuesday, that sentiment revealed the moral clarity that bolsters her songs about devotion and intimacy.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026

Definition of devotion

Noun

Every day, we are honored to tell America’s stories and hold that responsibility with the utmost regard, respect, and fidelity.

— Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 9 July 2026
The iMETRO Dynamic Simulation creates a high-fidelity digital twin of NASA Johnson Space Center’s iMETRO research facility, enabling researchers worldwide to develop, validate, and refine intravehicular robotic systems in a virtual environment.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 July 2026

Definition of fidelity

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alleges

allegiance

alleging

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“Allegiance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allegiance. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of allegiance

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