FIDELITY Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'fidelity' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of fidelity are allegiance , devotion , fealty , loyalty , and piety . While all these words mean "faithfulness to something to which one is bound by pledge or duty," fidelity implies strict and continuing faithfulness to an obligation, trust, or duty. // marital fidelity

Q: Where would 'allegiance' be a reasonable alternative to 'fidelity'?

The words allegiance and fidelity are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, allegiance suggests an adherence like that of citizens to their country. // pledging allegiance

Q: When would 'devotion' be a good substitute for 'fidelity'?

While the synonyms devotion and fidelity are close in meaning, devotion stresses zeal and service amounting to self-dedication. // a painter's devotion to her art

Q: When can 'fealty' be used instead of 'fidelity'?

The meanings of fealty and fidelity largely overlap; however, fealty implies a fidelity acknowledged by the individual and as compelling as a sworn vow. // fealty to the truth

Q: When might 'loyalty' be a better fit than 'fidelity'?

The words loyalty and fidelity can be used in similar contexts, but loyalty implies a faithfulness that is steadfast in the face of any temptation to renounce, desert, or betray. // valued the loyalty of his friends

Q: When could 'piety' be used to replace 'fidelity'?

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

fidelity

noun

fə-ˈde-lə-tē

Definition of fidelity

as in loyalty

adherence to something to which one is bound by a pledge or duty they have never wavered in their fidelity to the cause of freedom

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fidelity distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of fidelity are allegiance, devotion, fealty, loyalty, and piety. While all these words mean "faithfulness to something to which one is bound by pledge or duty," fidelity implies strict and continuing faithfulness to an obligation, trust, or duty.

marital fidelity

Where would allegiance be a reasonable alternative to fidelity?

The words allegiance and fidelity are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, allegiance suggests an adherence like that of citizens to their country.

pledging allegiance

When would devotion be a good substitute for fidelity?

While the synonyms devotion and fidelity are close in meaning, devotion stresses zeal and service amounting to self-dedication.

a painter's devotion to her art

When can fealty be used instead of fidelity?

The meanings of fealty and fidelity largely overlap; however, fealty implies a fidelity acknowledged by the individual and as compelling as a sworn vow.

fealty to the truth

When might loyalty be a better fit than fidelity?

The words loyalty and fidelity can be used in similar contexts, but 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 could piety be used to replace fidelity?

The synonyms piety and fidelity 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 fidelity In Mozart’s original, two Italian soldiers decide to test their lovers’ fidelity by pretending to head off to war. — ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026 Malusa calls that site fidelity — jaguars will return to places that reliably provide water, prey and shelter. — Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 5 Sep. 2026 Those possibilities extend beyond the transmission and fidelity measurements reported in the tests. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026 For the most part, scientists have sought to upgrade these networks by increasing the distance or fidelity of their communications. — IEEE Spectrum, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fidelity

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fidelity

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

Definition of loyalty

Noun

There could be work drama or commotion among your colleagues that shakes up existing allegiances, which will compel you to reevaluate who’s really on your team.

— Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Sep. 2026
In that same scene, Adam also jokingly calls Olive a rebel, which could be a nod to Rey’s allegiance to the Resistance.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of allegiance

Noun

The Sun in your sign opposes Saturn in your 7th House, putting relationships, commitments, and compromise under a more serious lens.

— Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 4 Oct. 2026
Wilkerson is the 20th commitment for the Horned Frogs’ 2027 recruiting class which currently ranks 51st nationally and seventh in the Big 12.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of commitment

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

Definition of dedication

Noun

As Nicole refuses the role she’s been taught to play, her mother is forced to confront the cost of building a life around a man who demands devotion but can’t offer safety.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026
This is the main thrust of Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother — when the rightful aim of that threefold devotion is gone, what fills the void?

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of devotion

Browse Nearby Words

fiddling (with)

fidelity

fidget

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Fidelity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fidelity. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of fidelity

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

regimen

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes