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

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
Despite the critical lashing, the audience score has been propped up by faithful fans and is sitting at 96%. Clayton Davis, Variety, 25 Apr. 2026 Director Gay has sculpted a staging that is faithful to a more leisurely 19th-century storytelling style, yet satisfies modern audiences’ constant craving for stimulation. Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
As someone who attended Red Sox games as a kid, Schlittler is familiar with how harsh the Fenway faithful can be, especially when the Yankees are in town. Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026 Once a Red Sox fan himself — Schlittler attended the club’s 2004 championship parade with his father, John — the Yankees’ right-hander and his family were harassed by the Fenway faithful before and after that outing for the ages. Gary Phillips, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for faithful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for faithful
Adjective
  • The physically largest, Quebec, remained loyal, as did the most lucrative, Jamaica.
    Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
  • Cobb Vanth The old-fashioned cowboy wore Boba Fett's armor and weapons as the marshal of Mos Pelgo on Tatooine and was an loyal ally of the Mando – until Cad Bane gunned him down in cold blood.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 3 May 2026
Adjective
  • But part of the reason is that even with our most precise and accurate measurements that lead to a determination of the gravitational constant, those various teams and methods haven’t converged on a single answer.
    Big Think, Big Think, 6 May 2026
  • More accurate simulations could speed up drug discovery, improve materials design, and reduce the need for costly laboratory experiments.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 May 2026
Noun
  • That would make recovery relatively straightforward, if labor-intensive—were Iran, in fact, cooperative.
    Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 23 Apr. 2026
  • In May 1935, the rival news organizations formed AAP as a non-profit cooperative to supply their clients with accurate coverage of international events, ostensibly free from political partisanship or bias.
    Kevin Patrick, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • But for Chevy loyalists, the SS option offers performance, good looks and versatility.
    James Raia, Mercury News, 4 May 2026
  • Coming two to four years early, the timeline of long-threaten process from MAGA loyalist Carr could prove ultimately to be an empty threat to pressure the now Josh D’Amaro run Disney.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Dan Radakovich is leaving the athletic director’s office after five years of steadfast integrity.
    Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 2 May 2026
  • As Miranda faces public outcry and the pressures of a downturning publishing industry, Andy once again strives for her approval amid her steadfast pursuit of rigorous journalism.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 2 May 2026
Adjective
  • The Moon moves through your 1st House of Identity, bringing focus back to what’s true for you.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
  • While that’s still true, some of these rising players are feeling the pain of fickle production, too.
    Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • And earlier this month, armed attacks on a police station in the commune of Marigot in the country’s south left at least six dead, according to police.
    Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 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.
    Allen G. Breed, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In the past few years, Russia, at an enormous cost to its own forces, made steady advances on the battlefield (most estimates suggest more than a million Russian soldiers have been killed or injured since the start of the conflict).
    Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 8 May 2026
  • At least 17 Israeli soldiers have been killed in southern Lebanon, according to the country's military.
    Michael Loria, USA Today, 8 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Faithful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/faithful. Accessed 9 May. 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