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 Jeff lives in beautiful Bend, Oregon amid the ponderosa pines, classic muscle cars, a crypt of collector horror comics, and two loyal English Setters. Jeff Spry, Space.com, 12 June 2025 The Takeaway: Building Real Loyalty Takes Real Relationships Points alone won’t keep customers loyal, but relationships can. Zsuzsa Kecsmar, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025 Read more These headquarters may seem surprising for a duo that creates award-winning perfumes and has built a following of loyal fans. Maxwell Williams, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2025 The rerecorded tracks are loyal to the originals; some sound almost as if they’ve simply been remastered. Tyler Foggatt, New Yorker, 8 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for loyal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loyal
Adjective
  • Despite Aspinall winning the interim crown, UFC CEO Dana White remained steadfast in saying that Jones vs. Miocic was the fight to make.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
  • From the outset, our firm has maintained that no one is above the law, especially those in positions of power, and that principle remains steadfast.
    Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 12 June 2025
Adjective
  • Former Cincinnati Reds shortstop Zack Cozart, who has also been a staunch Trump supporter in the past, expressed a similar sentiment to Strickland in an X post on Monday.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2025
  • Israel’s staunch ally, the U.S., stepped in to help shoot down Iranian missiles, while other global leaders have called to de-escalate tensions.
    Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 16 June 2025
Adjective
  • Trump has bristled at criticism from some of his MAGA faithful, including conservative pundit Tucker Carlson, who have suggested that further U.S. involvement would be a betrayal to supporters who were drawn to his promise to end U.S. involvement in expensive and endless wars.
    Aamer Madhani, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025
  • Di Maria raised his right hand toward the crowd afterward, as if apologizing to the Boca Juniors faithful.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 17 June 2025
Adjective
  • Bure became a devout Christian at the age of 12 and has remained outspoken about her religious beliefs and conservative political opinions.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 11 June 2025
  • One such soul was Madeline Buol (1902–1986), a devout Catholic and beauty shop owner living in Dubuque, IA, right across the Mississippi River from Dickeyville.
    Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
Adjective
  • Brown, the top returning rusher in the league (1,173 yards as a true freshman), will be running behind an offensive line that returns only one starter.
    Manny Navarro, New York Times, 20 June 2025
  • But while the South gets most of the spotlight, the true magic lies further away.
    Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • Some experts particularly recommend scheduling time for dedicated focus, and breaks, into your calendar each day.
    Ashton Jackson, CNBC, 19 June 2025
  • Nike has been putting together a dedicated team for the project, which had been kept secret for more than a year until an announcement in February.
    Lionel Lim, Fortune, 19 June 2025
Adjective
  • By making loyalty purely transactional, Carnival risks turning its most devoted customers into brand-agnostic comparison shoppers.
    Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
  • In the past, the devoted league of Swift supporters known as Swifites have banded together to criticize the singer’s high-profile exes and in recent years, rallied against Ticketmaster over allegations of fraud, price-fixing and antitrust violations.
    Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Loyal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loyal. Accessed 24 Jun. 2025.

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