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
  • And underneath the family tensions, robberies and shifting allegiances, Gurrea kept returning to one idea.
    — Callum McLennan, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026
  • For two years, tension over the case has frayed allegiances in Dearborn.
    — Glenn Rice, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Pulled into the action is Liz Gold, an idealistic young woman whose courage and conviction force Leamas to navigate a world where loyalties fracture and betrayal is inevitable.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Pulled into the action is Liz Gold (O’Casey), an idealistic young woman whose courage and conviction force Leamas to navigate a world where loyalties fracture and betrayal is inevitable.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • That said, the agreement appears to stop short of any concrete purchase commitment, and the two-month trade truce extension appears constrained compared to analysts’ pre-summit expectations of at least six months.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026
  • For Circ, the agreement provides a commitment of future demand as the company works to build commercial-scale capacity.
    — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • There’s an Islamic hadith in which the Messenger of Allah is asked by a man to name the person most deserving of his love, attention, and dedication.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Carrie Coon will be the first recipient of the Vancouver International Film Festival’s new Luminary Award in the acting category, honoring excellence and dedication to the art of moving image.
    — Katherine Brodsky, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • According to industry gossip at the time, the only reason George even released this single was his pure fanboy devotion.
    — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2026
  • These people love something so much that their devotion mirrors the kind of energy normally reserved for higher stakes.
    — Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Lay disciples typically uphold the vow of brahmacharya by maintaining fidelity toward their spouse.
    — Bhakti Mamtora, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Birdbuddy's first two cameras, the Nature Cam and Nature Cam Pro, wowed me with sharp detail, smooth 30fps video, and excellent color fidelity.
    — Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 27 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Fealty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fealty. Accessed 1 Oct. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on fealty

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster