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
However, their time together ended when Tamburello, a faithful, turned on Parks, a traitor, and voted to banish her in episode 10. — Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Sep. 2026 The Fiorentino family has overseen meticulous renovations that restored their shine with faithful deference to its old-world elegance. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026
Noun
As growing secularism and rival branches of Christianity siphon off Catholic faithful across the region, Leo has embraced the efforts of his Argentine predecessor, Pope Francis, to bring the church closer to ordinary people, particularly the poor. — ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026 Preachers and patricians constantly warned that, if allowed to live unchecked in the city, Jews would ‘infect’ the Christian faithful, poisoning the minds of the pious and stealing souls away from salvation. — Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for faithful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for faithful
Adjective
  • After both sides signed the Pretoria peace deal, a caretaker administration seen as loyal to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was installed in Mekelle, the Tigray capital.
    — SAMUEL GETACHEW, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The Sun, who now begin the process of relocating to Houston for next season, gave their loyal, vociferous and orange-clad fans a goodbye present, a 95-81 victory over the Toronto Tempo, just a little something to remember them by.
    — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Still, drugmakers are increasingly homing in on narrower and potentially more accurate drug targets as science reveals more of cancer's remarkable molecular diversity.
    — Arthur Allen, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Relevant facts can be included to help create an accurate account.
    — Matthew Kayser, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • In a women's cooperative in Morocco's High Atlas Mountains, members weave wedding blankets, and at a workshop in Bagru in India, artisans pound block prints onto fabric.
    — Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The Polesine Fishermen’s Cooperative Consortium's revenues fell 75% to 15 million euros ($17 million) in 2024 and 2025; the cooperative's active members also shrank from 1,500 to 850.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Two Assad loyalists were also sentenced -- one to death and the other to life in prison.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Two Assad loyalists were also sentenced — one to death and the other to life in prison.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The previous Democrat to have represented the district is currently Michigan's junior senator, Elissa Slotkin, a former CIA analyst and steadfast moderate.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Macklemore held steadfast to his position — that the ongoing war in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of thousands of children — and found supporters among the other openers on Sheeran’s tour and his backing band, who dropped out in solidarity.
    — Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • In a world where true-crime shows of both the fictional and nonfictional variety run rampant on our screens, that’s probably not a bad corporate strategy.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
  • In Cuba, for instance, the single format is dominant, and very few artists have dared to create a true concept album.
    — Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Speaking of those chickens, Schreiber—whose fear of poultry started as a child, when his hippie parents moved the family to a commune in Canada—seems to be successfully conquering this particular anxiety.
    — Ingrid Abramovitch, Architectural Digest, 10 Sep. 2026
  • In 1986, a few dozen people gathered on a beach in San Francisco to light an eight-foot effigy and commune with nature — and one and other — under the great open skies.
    — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 10 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Amid the jubilation of the liberation, there is a darker side, as women who fraternized with German soldiers are tracked down and brutally publicly shamed.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026
  • More than 500 soldiers and 600 police officers were deployed, according to the Colombian presidency.
    — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Faithful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/faithful. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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