Synonym Chooser

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 This becomes a way to signal their allegiance to the team, improve their standing among fellow fans, and contribute to what makes the fan base distinct in the eyes of its members. Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025 The man who carried out a deadly attack outside a synagogue in Manchester, northern England, had pledged his allegiance to ISIS while carrying it out, police said Wednesday. Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025 Armed with better products, Google search, and no allegiance to the subculture’s origins, people are borrowing from goth to imbue their makeup with an edge. Sophia Panych, Allure, 8 Oct. 2025 Li described herself as having a lifelong suspicion of all forms of emotional melodrama, stemming from her experience as a child in China listening to propagandist operas, in which singers made extravagant claims of adoration and allegiance. Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for allegiance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allegiance
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

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

More from Merriam-Webster on allegiance

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