Synonym Chooser

How is the word loyal distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of loyal are constant, faithful, resolute, staunch, and steadfast. While all these words mean "firm in adherence to whatever one owes allegiance," loyal implies a firm resistance to any temptation to desert or betray.

remained loyal to the czar

When is constant a more appropriate choice than loyal?

The meanings of constant and loyal largely overlap; however, constant stresses continuing firmness of emotional attachment without necessarily implying strict obedience to promises or vows.

constant friends

When can faithful be used instead of loyal?

Although the words faithful and loyal have much in common, faithful implies unswerving adherence to a person or thing or to the oath or promise by which a tie was contracted.

faithful to her promise

When would resolute be a good substitute for loyal?

The synonyms resolute and loyal are sometimes interchangeable, but resolute implies firm determination to adhere to a cause or purpose.

a resolute ally

When is it sensible to use staunch instead of loyal?

While the synonyms staunch and loyal are close in meaning, staunch suggests fortitude and resolution in adherence and imperviousness to influences that would weaken it.

a staunch defender of free speech

Where would steadfast be a reasonable alternative to loyal?

While in some cases nearly identical to loyal, steadfast implies a steady and unwavering course in love, allegiance, or conviction.

steadfast in their support

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 loyal That includes New York’s Nassau County, where GOP executive Bruce Blakeman is a loyal Trump ally, and Pennsylvania’s Erie County. David Weigel, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2025 Venus in Scorpio is loyal, laser-focused, and just a little bit obsessed with whatever (or whoever) has its attention. Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 2 Nov. 2025 The loyal troupe fought with bullies and acted out Smith’s tales, some of which were loosely based on her favorite books (Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Little Women, Nancy Drew). Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025 Gunn has stayed loyal to that sensibility ever since. Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for loyal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loyal
Adjective
  • Jeff is known as a selfless mentor and a steadfast colleague.
    Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Beyond her torrid relationship with Taissa Turner, Van felt like a voice of reason in a sea of noise — steadfast in her effort to reform after her time in The Wilderness rather than succumbing to its violent will.
    Catherine Mhloyi, Them., 29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • That experience, along with his father’s staunch opposition to the removals, helped form Kennedy’s powerful belief in the equality of all people and the importance of preserving and protecting individual rights.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2025
  • The staunchest deflationist could deflate no longer.
    James Somers, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • In a 2022 Instagram post, The Conjuring 2 director and The Nun producer James Wan explained the creative choice to portray Valak as a demonic nun, rather than in a form more faithful to his mythological depictions.
    Julie Tremaine, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
  • The positivity was palpable among the Aggie faithful late Saturday night.
    Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The actor, 76, has been a devout Buddhist for over 40 years.
    Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Many Latin acts, particularly from Puerto Rico, are devout Christians but don’t share their beliefs in their music.
    Leila Cobo, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • But the true freshman looked poised and undaunted, able to pick up a trio of fourth-down conversions with his arm and more positive yards with his legs.
    Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 31 Oct. 2025
  • His portrayal of a pompous, yapping intellectual who's rotten to the core rings uncomfortably true, as do the performances of Thatcher and East as their characters nonverbally communicate their discomfort to each other.
    Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • During his life, Phoenix was a dedicated activist, championing animal rights and environmentalism.
    Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Be sure to pack them in a secure zippered toiletry bag with dedicated compartments, too.
    Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Her songs started playing in more and more clubs and bars and taxis, and her fan base grew more devoted.
    Carolina Abbott Galvão, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The film follows Jo Beckett, a devoted schoolteacher whose world unravels when her young son vanishes—only to return profoundly changed.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Loyal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loyal. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on loyal

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