FAITHFUL Synonyms: 206 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

faithful 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfāth-fəl

Definition of faithful next

as in loyal

firm in one's allegiance to someone or something fans of the Chicago Cubs are famously faithful

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in accurate

following an original exactly a faithful filming of Robert Louis Stevenson's novel Treasure Island

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

faithful

2 of 2

noun

as in cooperative

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in loyalist

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples 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

Girls’ Generation’s Yoona is playing it faithful with Valentino. —

Mikelle Street, WWD, 26 Nov. 2024 The 46-year-old is fluent in the online world of conservative politics and attuned to cultural issues that catch on with the MAGA faithful. —

Michelle L. Price, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2024

Noun

Kyiv is the Vatican, Zelensky is the pope, and career politicians in both parties are the new faithful. —

Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 28 Oct. 2024 Universal’s marketing machine harnessed that to sell to the Freddy faithful. —

Sean Piccoli, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for faithful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for faithful

Adjective

Surpassing 1,000 pages, the tome should be long enough to keep Sanderson's legion of loyal fans sated at least for awhile.

Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 7 Dec. 2024
The team began a quick decline after that, a slide that bottomed out last season when the Galaxy fired longtime president Chris Klein amid an embarrassing fan boycott that saw the club’s most loyal supporters refuse to attend matches.

Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024