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 That united display of fealty reflected Big Tech’s hopes that Trump would be more accommodating than President Joe Biden’s administration’s and help propel an already booming industry to even greater heights. Michael Liedtke, Chicago Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025 That united display of fealty reflected Big Tech’s hopes that Trump would be more accommodating than President Biden’s administration and help propel an already booming industry to even greater heights. Mae Anderson and Michael Liedtke, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2025 That united display of fealty reflected Big Tech's hopes that Trump would be more accommodating than former President Joe Biden's administration was and help propel an already booming industry to even greater heights. Arkansas Online, 10 Apr. 2025 While the facts, as there are, remain the same, what is different is that instead of straight-arrow Attorney General Merrick Garland, sitting in the top job now is AG Pam Bondi, whose fealty to impartial justice isn’t quite as strong. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 23 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fealty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fealty
Noun
  • With the streets of The Chi in turmoil, Reg’s comeback sets the stage for high-stakes drama and shifting allegiances.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 2 June 2025
  • Harvard’s dishonest expert on honesty is a poignant symbol of a far larger problem in academia: ideological allegiance replacing the quest for truth.
    Andrew Follett, National Review, 31 May 2025
Noun
  • Since joining the oneworld Alliance in 2013, Qatar has offered codeshare and loyalty integration with 13 major carriers.
    Judy Koutsky, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
  • At the nucleus of their brotherhood were love, loyalty, and the zeal to expand their drug trafficking enterprise.
    Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • In other words, educate yourself about how things work before making any real commitment to it.
    Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 7 June 2025
  • Hemingway plays Dorothy Stratten, the Playboy Playmate turned actor who was brutally murdered by her ex-husband and manager, played with psychotic commitment by Eric Roberts.
    Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • The guide is in line with the Space System Protection Standard, which summarizes NASA's continuous dedication to supporting the creation of exact cybersecurity standards for its space systems.
    Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • The scholarships are awarded to student caddies who demonstrate academic excellence, financial need, dedication on the golf course and exemplary character.
    Jad El Reda, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
Noun
  • Though devotion plays an important role in how Muslims observe Eid al-Adha, there is also room to come together and have fun.
    Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 7 June 2025
  • This timepiece represents an unshakeable vision, fusing MR-G’s commitment to ultimate strength and beauty with the Zen devotion to contemplating one’s own nature and an integrated worldview of serenity.
    Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • Unfortunately, despite this game being a Switch 2 launch title, not enough time and care were taken in increasing the graphical fidelity of the enemies and some of the main characters.
    Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
  • Pretty impressive leap in fidelity for a point release!
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 9 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Fealty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fealty. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on fealty

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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