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
Matthew Golden discusses being Packers' first-round pick Matthew Golden's NFL Draft experience was unlike any other prospect, as the Green Bay Packers faithful went wild for him. Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 30 Apr. 2025 By 1900, the Disciples were the fastest growing religious group in the country with their faithful numbering more than 1.2 million. Richard D. Mahoney, JSTOR Daily, 30 Apr. 2025
Noun
But will such efforts reach anyone outside the Democratic faithful? Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025 For many, $449 might be an unjustifiable luxury, but for the Nintendo faithful, these incremental improvements add up to something quite promising indeed. James Perkins Mastromarino, NPR, 3 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for faithful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for faithful
Adjective
  • The loyal throngs of fans that stuck around, even as the crowd dwindled, were duly rewarded when, a few hours later, Lorde arrived in the flesh to perform.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Above all, Thomas has remained loyal to the franchise that drafted him, and loyalty should count for something.
    C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
    Emily DeLetter, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Retailers often struggle with data silos, inconsistent quality, and integration issues, Sheridan says, which complicate accurate analysis in addition to concerns around consumer privacy.
    Kiri Masters, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • And a nuclear energy cooperative would provide the West with a crucial platform to continue influencing nonproliferation safeguards by creating better balanced technology export standards that maintain nuclear safety without deterring buyers.
    Juzel Lloyd, Foreign Affairs, 28 Apr. 2025
  • It must be made accessible to those on the front lines of disruption—local governments, cooperatives, and civic organisations with the credibility to act and the trust to mobilise.
    London Business School, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Trump has endorsed a slew of conservative loyalists up for reelection in safe seats next year who are less likely to criticize the president, such as Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Steve Daines (R-MT), and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS).
    Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Trump replaced most of the board with loyalists, who then elected him the new Kennedy Center chairman.
    Ashraf Khalil, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Decade after decade, the city remains steadfast in the face of adversity.
    Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Among those who left in time, some remained steadfast in their lifelong friendships, as did their children.
    Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The Edmonton Oilers entered the postseason with more roster questions than any true Stanley Cup contender this spring.
    Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 3 May 2025
  • While hazing has come under intense scrutiny in recent years, incidents like the one in Syracuse are reminders of how vague the true scope of hazing nationwide remains and the need for more tangible hazing prevention practices, experts and advocates say.
    Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 3 May 2025
Noun
  • Climate and Geography of the Rhône Valley Running 150 miles from north to south along steep riverbanks, the Rhône Valley is home to just shy of 160,000 acres of grapevines in 148 communes.
    Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The United Nations has said that between late January and March 2025, at least 262 people were killed and 66 others injured in the southern Port-au-Prince communes of Kenscoff and Carrefour.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Just outside our car, soldiers beat down the door of a house and piled in.
    Antón Barba-Kay, The Atlantic, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Three Indian army officials said that Pakistani soldiers used small arms to fire at an Indian position in Kashmir late Thursday.
    Time, Time, 25 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Faithful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/faithful. Accessed 7 May. 2025.

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