DEVOTION Synonyms: 113 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of devotion are allegiance , fealty , fidelity , loyalty , and piety . While all these words mean "faithfulness to something to which one is bound by pledge or duty," devotion stresses zeal and service amounting to self-dedication. // a painter's devotion to her art

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

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

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

The words fealty and devotion can be used in similar contexts, but fealty implies a fidelity acknowledged by the individual and as compelling as a sworn vow. // fealty to the truth

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

In some situations, the words fidelity and devotion are roughly equivalent. However, fidelity implies strict and continuing faithfulness to an obligation, trust, or duty. // marital fidelity

Q: Where would 'loyalty' be a reasonable alternative to 'devotion'?

The words loyalty and devotion 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 is it sensible to use 'piety' instead of 'devotion'?

Although the words piety and devotion have much in common, piety stresses fidelity to obligations regarded as natural and fundamental. // filial piety

devotion

noun

di-ˈvō-shən

Definition of devotion

as in love

a feeling of strong or constant regard for and dedication to someone Albert Schweitzer was world-renowned for his devotion to his fellow man

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in dedication

adherence to something to which one is bound by a pledge or duty the knight's fierce devotion to his lord

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in religion

belief and trust in and loyalty to God a people of deep spirituality and indomitable devotion

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word devotion distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of devotion are allegiance, fealty, fidelity, loyalty, and piety. While all these words mean "faithfulness to something to which one is bound by pledge or duty," devotion stresses zeal and service amounting to self-dedication.

a painter's devotion to her art

When could allegiance be used to replace devotion?

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

pledging allegiance

When would fealty be a good substitute for devotion?

The words fealty and devotion can be used in similar contexts, but fealty implies a fidelity acknowledged by the individual and as compelling as a sworn vow.

fealty to the truth

When might fidelity be a better fit than devotion?

In some situations, the words fidelity and devotion are roughly equivalent. However, fidelity implies strict and continuing faithfulness to an obligation, trust, or duty.

marital fidelity

Where would loyalty be a reasonable alternative to devotion?

The words loyalty and devotion 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 is it sensible to use piety instead of devotion?

Although the words piety and devotion have much in common, 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 devotion Maralian’s devotion to her roots and cultural traditions is reflected in her brand’s signature design, Areni. — Virginia Corneli, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026 Taurus Routines confirm your devotion to improving your aura. — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 22 Sep. 2026 Indeed, in her devotion to sparkle, Pechman declines to probe too deeply into any of the industry’s more hurtful or exploitative dimensions. — Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026 By 2017, Cyrus was covering her tattoos with makeup, wearing all white, and singing ballads of marital devotion. — Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for devotion

Recent Examples of Synonyms for devotion

Noun

In the first episode of HBO’s divorce legal drama War, the word love doesn’t come up once.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
Yet as related here in the low-key delivery of someone who not just survived but lived to be 101 years old, Jaku was able to enjoy the love, peace, contentment and security he was denied in his youth.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of love

Noun

There’s an Islamic hadith in which the Messenger of Allah is asked by a man to name the person most deserving of his love, attention, and dedication.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026
Carrie Coon will be the first recipient of the Vancouver International Film Festival’s new Luminary Award in the acting category, honoring excellence and dedication to the art of moving image.

— Katherine Brodsky, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of dedication

Noun

Oklahoma officials had argued that allowing the school into the program would violate the First Amendment’s establishment clause, which bars the government from establishing a state religion, an argument the judge rejected.

— Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 25 Sep. 2026
Her position deviates from her religion as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which publicly opposes the ballot measure.

— Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of religion

Noun

With the Moon in your sign opposing Venus in your partnership zone, affection could feel wonderful one minute and intrusive the next.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 29 Sep. 2026
Inside, the hotel's affection for old Florida reveals itself one detail at a time.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of affection

Noun

Pulled into the action is Liz Gold, an idealistic young woman whose courage and conviction force Leamas to navigate a world where loyalties fracture and betrayal is inevitable.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026
Pulled into the action is Liz Gold (O’Casey), an idealistic young woman whose courage and conviction force Leamas to navigate a world where loyalties fracture and betrayal is inevitable.

— Alex Ritman, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of loyalty

Noun

The impulse to hate, rather than love, thy neighbor—especially one who practiced a different version of the same faith—was also depressingly strong.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
Ali stars as Latif, a devoutly religious hitman who struggles to balance work, faith and fatherhood.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of faith

Noun

In opening statements, prosecutors elaborated on that claim, saying Weinberg also traded on stories and pictures of his three children, presenting himself as a loving father looking for an outlet for his creative passion as an amateur shutterbug.

— Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Diana Almendariz Cultural practice is in Diana Almendariz’s passion and lineage.

— The Sacramento Bee staff, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of passion

Noun

That said, the agreement appears to stop short of any concrete purchase commitment, and the two-month trade truce extension appears constrained compared to analysts’ pre-summit expectations of at least six months.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026
For Circ, the agreement provides a commitment of future demand as the company works to build commercial-scale capacity.

— Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of commitment

Browse Nearby Words

devoting

devotion

devotional

See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

Style

“Devotion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devotion. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of devotion

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on devotion

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

heterodox

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Oct. 2

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes