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

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
The Royals faithful — all 39,320 in attendance — erupted with applause. Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026 The Falcons faithful again packed the rink Sunday to celebrate a third straight crowning. Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
Boston’s faithful should be following the team on The Athletic. Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026 But in the opening round of the ACC Tournament on Tuesday, March 10, one fan in the Pitt faithful tried something nobody saw coming. Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for faithful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for faithful
Adjective
  • After the synagogue’s board voted to dismiss the cantor, scores of families who were loyal to him left.
    Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Special thanks to all of our loyal customers!
    Matt Schooley, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
    Cody Godwin, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Hedrick also won a Fiesta Bowl, in 2014, and was hailed as one of the most accurate passers in the nation.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Come next school year, Wyandotte County’s long-standing special education cooperative could be but a memory to area educators and advocates.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Six years later, the cooperative is deliberately but aggressively chasing expansion.
    Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The hotel draws corporate execs, Four Seasons loyalists, celebs in town for the annual film fest, and locals frequenting the bar, restaurant, or spa.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026
  • From that moment, Rodríguez moved quickly to consolidate control, evolving from a political loyalist into the regime’s central broker — managing economic policy, overseeing strategic industries and negotiating with foreign governments.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Their steadfast belief in this very personal film and commitment to getting it on marquees means so much to me.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Fielder has been the sole democratic socialist on the board and a steadfast advocate for progressive causes, often voting against Lurie’s legislative agenda and the board’s moderate majority bloc.
    Alyce McFadden, San Francisco Chronicle, 29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • There was no true striker for England.
    Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2026
  • The Full Moon highlights your 4th House of Traditions, nudging you to think about what makes your residence a true home base.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Audiences want to feel, to commune, to dissect, to yearn.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 26 Mar. 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.
    ABC News, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Military police are often the only armed personnel on base, outside of shooting ranges, hunting areas or in training, where soldiers can wield their service weapons without ammunition.
    CBS News, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
  • The village’s Black residents, including Hettie, are energized by a promising but tangled effort to redress a long-standing injustice—the unequal compensation received by Black South African soldiers in the Second World War.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Faithful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/faithful. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

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