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faithful

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word faithful distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of faithful are constant, loyal, resolute, staunch, and steadfast. While all these words 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

When might constant be a better fit than faithful?

The words constant and faithful can be used in similar contexts, but constant stresses continuing firmness of emotional attachment without necessarily implying strict obedience to promises or vows.

constant friends

When would loyal be a good substitute for faithful?

While the synonyms loyal and faithful are close in meaning, loyal implies a firm resistance to any temptation to desert or betray.

remained loyal to the czar

When is it sensible to use resolute instead of faithful?

Although the words resolute and faithful have much in common, resolute implies firm determination to adhere to a cause or purpose.

a resolute ally

When can staunch be used instead of faithful?

The synonyms staunch and faithful are sometimes interchangeable, but staunch suggests fortitude and resolution in adherence and imperviousness to influences that would weaken it.

a staunch defender of free speech

When could steadfast be used to replace faithful?

The meanings of steadfast and faithful largely overlap; however, steadfast implies a steady and unwavering course in love, allegiance, or conviction.

steadfast in their support

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 faithful
Adjective
In an effort to streamline your routine with picks that are actually worth the investment, our editors and contributors continually try out robot vacuums in our own homes, from old-faithful brands like iRobot and Eufy as well as the latest innovations from big-names like Dyson. Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 3 Nov. 2025 In a 2022 Instagram post, The Conjuring 2 director and The Nun producer James Wan explained the creative choice to portray Valak as a demonic nun, rather than in a form more faithful to his mythological depictions. Julie Tremaine, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
The eight-year veteran QB was serenaded with MVP chants from the Bucs faithful in attendance. Ben Morse, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025 The upcoming stretch of Southeastern Conference games could be brutal for the Hog faithful. Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for faithful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for faithful
Adjective
  • Keystone ensures the Walkabout 26 Max exterior works as the most loyal of multi-adventure partners, starting with a huge pass-through front storage locker made possible by the drop frame.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2025
  • In recent years, Bleed had continued recording and performing, maintaining a loyal fan base drawn to his signature mix of southern wisdom and lyrical realism.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • World’s most advanced quantum clocks Quantum clocks provide very accurate timekeeping.
    Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2025
  • November 04, 2025 When Wikipedia was founded in 2001, the idea that people around the world could come together to create an accurate online encyclopedia covering virtually any topic seemed far-fetched.
    Harvard Business Review, Harvard Business Review, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Chef Josh Archibald is the executive chef of culinary development at Tillamook County Creamery Association, a dairy cooperative headquartered in Tillamook County, Oregon.
    Maddie Topliff, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Eric Jung, the cooperative’s president and CEO, said Northeastern REMC turned to the technology a few years ago because of the staggering costs of energy transmission.
    Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Since signing a contract with WWE in 2006, Sheamus has been a loyalist and is still kicking with the young talent on the roster.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Last year’s news-making escape has inspired an unlikely coalition of left-wing activists and MAGA loyalists that is demanding all lab animals be set free.
    David Remnick, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The balance of power in Mississippi is shifting away from extremism and chaos and toward champions of working families, driven by Democrats’ steadfast commitment to their communities.
    Daniel Orton, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
  • But the disruption is already wreaking havoc on the normally steadfast program.
    Christian Orozco, NBC news, 4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The interior of the shoe stays true to the brand’s line of classic winter boots, lined with a plush wool blend.
    Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 7 Nov. 2025
  • One mailer in particular said that Persson and fellow Democratic candidates wanted to build apartments on 300 acres of green space, which isn’t true, Persson said.
    Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • So when the first children in the commune were born, factions emerged around which language the next generation should speak.
    Big Think, Big Think, 6 Nov. 2025
  • In the isolated Swedish countryside of the never-setting sun, Midsommar hints at deeper, darker forces beneath the commune's folksy, welcoming exterior.
    Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In first half of that decade, Palestinian militants from Gaza and Sinai had killed 403 Israelis, including both civilians and soldiers.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Other changes include Trump replacing a portrait of former POTUS FDR with a painting of himself as a soldier from Halo.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 1 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Faithful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/faithful. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.

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