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 If the positions rest on loyalty, or fealty, or even punishment, how is that person supposed to deal with being isolated with presumably dangerous criminal inmates in the middle of a swamp? Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 2025 What Donald Trump wants most is your fealty, your silence to be complicit in this moment. ABC News, 15 June 2025 The administration has disregarded events in Gaza and has hollowed out the FBI and intelligence services, putting fealty to the president above competence for the job. Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 5 June 2025 The layers of fealty, love and the grinding terror of war are absolute perfection. Caitlin Starling, People.com, 19 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for fealty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fealty
Noun
  • Venezuela's top brass pledged allegiance to Maduro, but there is likely to be burgeoning concern in the military ranks about the impact of Western sanctions and embargos, weapons pipelines and maintenance issues, Solar said.
    Ellie Cook John Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
  • While there’s no love triangle, The Long Walk treats its allegiances and enmities with a grandeur that rivals any romance, especially the connection between its hero, Ray Garraty (Cooper Hoffman), and his friend Peter McVries (David Jonsson).
    Alison Willmore, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Unwavering loyalty Schrandt told ABC News that any deportations to Afghanistan are an unacceptable outcome.
    Chris Boccia, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Papers paired with flower or pre-rolls can drive incremental sales and encourage brand loyalty.
    Sara Payan, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • But this long-term commitment is a big move from both parties.
    Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
  • In 2018, the Heat captured the NBA’s inaugural Inclusion Leadership Award for the franchise’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Because of his dedication to the center, Marshall became its namesake in 2023.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Yet, Aramayo’s sensitive portrayal of the man and Jones’ unflinching dedication to showing some of Davidson’s most painful moments, the ones that pushed him into action, add up to an insightful biopic that chronicles a very worthy subject.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Through countless binges and marathons, the NBC sitcom has built up a fan devotion that borders on religious.
    Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 3 Sep. 2025
  • For the occasion, de Caunes revives one of his popular characters, a diehard redneck rock ’n’ roll fan whose taste for tall tales is matched only by his genuine devotion to music.
    Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • My own experience has taught me that fidelity, forgiveness, and faithfulness within families yield deep, enduring peace.
    Russell M. Nelson, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
  • To write one’s way out of the incapacitating dependence of daughterhood into autonomy means shedding the unquestioning fidelity of a child.
    Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fealty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fealty. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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