faithful 1 of 2

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
And when Bello struck out Ryan McMahon on a foul tip to complete the contest moments later, the Fenway faithful roared triumphantly along with him. Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 9 July 2025 That did not sit well with many of the Trojans’ faithful and the matchup was cancelled several months later and at a cost of $725,000. Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Noun
And just like the Sudbury Blueberry Bulldogs faithful, devoted fans of Shoresy will be able to see their favorite players suit up against NHL alumni in the second iteration of the Shoresy Fall Classic. Michelle Bruton, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025 The overall decor is faithful to the history of the house, which was built in 1880 by architect Pierre Kemp for textile industrialist Eugène Kerckhoff. Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 28 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for faithful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for faithful
Adjective
  • This is the first time a studio has put tickets for sale this early in advance, but considering Nolan has a loyal army of fans large enough to sack a city, there certainly won’t be any shortage of uptake.
    Benny Har-Even, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • On the one hand, Sharon Horgan — who plays Eva Garvey in the Apple TV+ dramedy about a group of loyal and protective Irish sisters — was nominated for season 1.
    EW.com, EW.com, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • Call your insurance company and verify that the estimate is accurate to your policy.
    Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • The analysts' predictions were not entirely accurate, the brand said.
    Liam Rappleye, Freep.com, 29 July 2025
Noun
  • Changes in the plans to reconnect steam service mainly include removing multiple vent stacks near the Nicolet and Joliet cooperatives in the Mies district vicinities to, instead, use traditional cast iron manhole covers.
    Dana Afana, Freep.com, 4 July 2025
  • Despite prejudice — state law prohibited him from owning property because of his ancestry — Taniguchi started a farmers' cooperative that raised, sold and shipped vegetables throughout California.
    Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Noun
  • New York's chief medical examiner ruled Epstein's death a suicide, but some – including many Trump loyalists – have questioned that finding and whether the government is shielding Epstein's potential clients from public view.
    Zac Anderson, USA Today, 18 July 2025
  • Most Republican lawmakers backed away from the issue, but some MAGA loyalists protested after the president's administration had ginned up expectations around what the files would reveal.
    Laura Gersony, AZCentral.com, 17 July 2025
Adjective
  • Its steadfast dedication to its classic roots, combined with a fearless spirit of innovation, results in pieces that never fail to amaze.
    Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 14 July 2025
  • But others in the political realm have been steadfast in their support of Gunn’s framing of the character.
    Olivia-Anne Cleary, Time, 12 July 2025
Adjective
  • This rings especially true for me, a vegetarian for nearly two decades.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 26 July 2025
  • This was certainly true of the Mets last summer when Taylor played his way into the lineup more consistently than Harrison Bader.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 26 July 2025
Noun
  • Lucius Pasternak, a municipal employee of the New York City Administrative and Security Territory, is dispatched to study the people of Simplicity, an upstate utopian commune settled over a century ago, back in the 1970s.
    Literary Hub July 1, Literary Hub, 1 July 2025
  • This starts the first night with an in-depth commune where each member of the camp, including those running it, get a chance to open up about their own lives outside of work and creative pursuits.
    Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • The victim was a 20-year-old American soldier stationed in West Germany, Edward Pimental, for whom the group set a murderous honeytrap.
    Katja Hoyer, semafor.com, 19 July 2025
  • The film follow three parallel stories—land, sea and air—as Allied soldiers (led by Fionn Whitehead), a civilian boat captain (Mark Rylance) and an RAF pilot (Tom Hardy) each play their part in the daring evacuation from the beaches of Dunkirk in 1940 during World War II.
    Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Faithful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/faithful. Accessed 1 Aug. 2025.

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