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 But most of the stakeholders in the TikTok investment group are business leaders who have shown sustained loyalty to the president, which makes the deal look like a reward for fealty, Tofel says. Bobby Allyn, NPR, 26 Sep. 2025 From the middle rungs of government to the top floors, fealty is supplanting expertise. Andreas Kluth, Twin Cities, 28 Aug. 2025 Then Colum joins him on the ground, promising Dougal his fealty in times of war. Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 15 Aug. 2025 The whole of clan MacKenzie descends upon Castle Leoch to pay their respects and also attend the Gathering, in which there are games and feasts and boar hunts and, most important, the oath-taking, in which the new laird will be chosen and everyone will pledge their fealty to him. Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fealty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fealty
Noun
  • The Rest is Football is part of a recent trend in football coverage which sees ex-players turned pundits — such as Gary Neville, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards — being very open about their continuing allegiances to former clubs.
    Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • An Idaho man accused of planning attacks on Coeur d’Alene churches and pledging his allegiance to a foreign terrorist organization has pleaded guilty to a federal felony charge of attempting to aid the group.
    Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Since then, her standing in the polls has slipped, though partisan loyalties remain deeply entrenched.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Credit card rewards and loyalty points can turn everyday spending into meaningful travel savings.
    Essence, Essence, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Laporta’s commitment to the Super League project has also appeared to wane, with the Barcelona chief reaching out to UEFA and the rest of the European football establishment, which Madrid continue to shun.
    Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The new strategy connects water goals to the denim giant’s 2024 Climate Action Transition Plan, which aligns the company’ business plans with its climate commitments.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The festivities have included live concerts, cultural showcases, historic dedications and child-friendly activities designed to honor the city’s past while looking toward its future.
    Dontaira Terrell, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
  • King Charles attended the monument’s dedication ceremony on Monday, where he was photographed laying a bouquet of flowers.
    Samantha Riedel, Them., 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium is Hogwarts, and its charm is its devotion to a different time in college sports.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Teenagers competed in musical contests that required them to perform songs expressing devotion to Russia.
    Tetiana Kotelnykova, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • By replicating the visual fidelity of reality, retina E-paper brings science closer to creating virtual worlds that the human eye cannot distinguish from the real one.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
  • The demo is a slice of the The Silent Cartographer level, and as the Pelican ship swoops in over the sparkling waters of Alpha Halo to drop Master Chief off on a beach, the graphical fidelity is almost astounding.
    Alyssa Mercante, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fealty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fealty. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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