Definition of fealtynext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fealty distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of fealty are allegiance, devotion, fidelity, loyalty, and piety. While all these words mean "faithfulness to something to which one is bound by pledge or duty," fealty implies a fidelity acknowledged by the individual and as compelling as a sworn vow.

fealty to the truth

Where would allegiance be a reasonable alternative to fealty?

While the synonyms allegiance and fealty are close in meaning, allegiance suggests an adherence like that of citizens to their country.

pledging allegiance

In what contexts can devotion take the place of fealty?

The meanings of devotion and fealty largely overlap; however, devotion stresses zeal and service amounting to self-dedication.

a painter's devotion to her art

When could fidelity be used to replace fealty?

While in some cases nearly identical to fealty, fidelity implies strict and continuing faithfulness to an obligation, trust, or duty.

marital fidelity

When would loyalty be a good substitute for fealty?

The words loyalty and fealty are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, loyalty implies a faithfulness that is steadfast in the face of any temptation to renounce, desert, or betray.

valued the loyalty of his friends

When might piety be a better fit than fealty?

The synonyms piety and fealty are sometimes interchangeable, but piety stresses fidelity to obligations regarded as natural and fundamental.

filial piety

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 fealty Rhaenyra’s men come later that night and demand Aegon and Tyland declare their fealty. Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026 Then there is one overriding factor in the current political climate — a GOP that pays fealty to a president with little support among residents in the state’s most populous counties. Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026 After falsely bending the knee to Daemon (Matt Smith), pretending to swear fealty to Rhaenyra, and handing over a decoy Daeron, Ormund decamped with his army to the unfortified market town of Tumbleton. Megan McCluskey, Time, 20 July 2026 Here, though, there is little reason to believe that a Senate vote will alter Trump’s demands for absolute fealty from the Justice Department. Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for fealty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fealty
Noun
  • But when al-Baghdadi announced in April 2013 that the Nusra Front would be folded into the Islamic State group, al-Sharaa refused and pledged allegiance to al-Qaida’s Ayman al-Zawahiri instead.
    Jason M. Blazakis, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Many New Yorkers who remained behind British lines during the war were not supporters of the Revolution, but in naming their son after George Washington, the Irvings declared their allegiance.
    Eric Lach, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • All of which can help retain customer loyalty long after the holiday shopping season ends.
    Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Notable Mounds of garbage, potholed roads and sewage spills have pushed some voters to abandon their loyalty to the ANC, writes journalist Evaton West for AFP.
    Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Rezaei, who is an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamanei, said Iran will not yield to US pressure, adding the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until Washington meets its commitments.
    Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Despite being widely seen as a potential challenger to Infantino, the 58-year-old Ceferin expressed his commitment to UEFA.
    ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Frederick Douglass tells his life story in this work, from the years he was enslaved in the pre-Civil War South to his escape, his freedom, his work, and his dedication to the abolitionist movement.
    Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The book examines how dedication to good governance rather than personal agenda has resulted in cooperation across party lines.
    Monitor reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • This is one of the BEST ways to recreate the communal devotion that the Premier League inspires.
    Matt Piper, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
  • His devotion changed when his father, Henry, introduced him to parlay cards – the pencil and paper betting sheets where picking multiple winners meant a nice little payout.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Love the Georgia peach down, but respecting the fidelity of partnership has never been one of her strong points.
    Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Priced at $899, these headphones boast a groundbreaking three-way hybrid driver architecture, integrating dynamic, planar-magnetic, and balanced armature drivers for exceptional audio fidelity.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fealty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fealty. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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