faithful 1 of 2

Definition of faithfulnext

faithful

2 of 2

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

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
Ahmad plays Shah Latif, a British Pakistani actor, who, owing to the exertions of his faithful, often frustrated agent, Felicia (Weruche Opia), is improbably auditioning to be the next James Bond. Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026 God bless broccoli, that faithful mainstay of supermarkets and produce drawers everywhere. Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Mar. 2026
Noun
Boston’s faithful should be following the team on The Athletic. Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026 But in the opening round of the ACC Tournament on Tuesday, March 10, one fan in the Pitt faithful tried something nobody saw coming. Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for faithful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for faithful
Adjective
  • After the synagogue’s board voted to dismiss the cantor, scores of families who were loyal to him left.
    Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Special thanks to all of our loyal customers!
    Matt Schooley, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Weather apps have a tendency to alienate their user bases, perhaps because people’s physical experiences—their plans, their dress, their commutes—so directly depend on an accurate report.
    Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
    Kasey Caminiti, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Come next school year, Wyandotte County’s long-standing special education cooperative could be but a memory to area educators and advocates.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Six years later, the cooperative is deliberately but aggressively chasing expansion.
    Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The latest was Ali Larijani, a fixture of Iranian politics and repression, and one of the slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s most unflinching loyalists.
    Jason Rezaian, New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Morgan, in part, is helping bridge the gap between the Tustin loyalists and a new generation of diners.
    Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Through leadership changes at our organization due to death or retirement, Robert has been steadfast in his friendship and support.
    Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Ukraine's European allies have promised to maintain their steadfast support, but bickering over a major 90 billion euro ($106 billion) European Union loan to cover Kyiv's military and economic needs for two years has reflected the mounting challenges.
    ABC News, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • To show our simple skill, That is the true beginning of our end.
    Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Courts often look to rulings in other jurisdictions to guide decisions, even if those precedents aren’t binding, according to Reyes, who said this is especially true in new legal fields like climate litigation.
    ABC News, ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Audiences want to feel, to commune, to dissect, to yearn.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2026
  • For two hours, Claire Jefferies wanted to get away from the war in Iran and the rising gas prices and just commune with nature.
    ABC News, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Celal Gunes | Anadolu | Getty Images Nearly a month into the Iran war, the United States is preparing to send thousands of additional soldiers to the Middle East, expanding a military footprint that already has tens of thousands of American personnel in the region.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Anatomy of a Fall and The Zone of Interest actress Hüller, currently on screens opposite Ryan Gosling in box office hit Project Hail Mary, plays a mysterious soldier who appears in a secluded Protestant village amidst the turmoil of the Thirty Years’ War.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Faithful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/faithful. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on faithful

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster