Definition of loyaltynext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word loyalty distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of loyalty are allegiance, devotion, fealty, fidelity, and piety. While all these words mean "faithfulness to something to which one is bound by pledge or duty," 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 is allegiance a more appropriate choice than loyalty?

The meanings of allegiance and loyalty largely overlap; however, allegiance suggests an adherence like that of citizens to their country.

pledging allegiance

When would devotion be a good substitute for loyalty?

The words devotion and loyalty are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, devotion stresses zeal and service amounting to self-dedication.

a painter's devotion to her art

When might fealty be a better fit than loyalty?

In some situations, the words fealty and loyalty are roughly equivalent. However, fealty implies a fidelity acknowledged by the individual and as compelling as a sworn vow.

fealty to the truth

In what contexts can fidelity take the place of loyalty?

The synonyms fidelity and loyalty are sometimes interchangeable, but fidelity implies strict and continuing faithfulness to an obligation, trust, or duty.

marital fidelity

When can piety be used instead of loyalty?

The words piety and loyalty can be used in similar contexts, 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 loyalty The options are far fewer, but United MileagePlus® Debit Rewards Card, Southwest Rapid Rewards® Debit Card and Wyndham Rewards® Debit Card all earn loyalty rewards with their respective programs. Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026 That kind of run would earn you some loyalty from 31 of the league’s 32 franchises. Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026 First incarcerated as a teenager, Big Ant has spent so much of his life locked up that his high school sweetheart, Lozita (a forceful Danielle Brooks), stays with him out of loyalty, not love. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026 Niche and foreign-language series — the consumption of which continues to grow — prove particularly strong in creating audience loyalty, the research shows. Ed Meza, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for loyalty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loyalty
Noun
  • The crowd at Melbourne Cricket Ground certainly had a mix of allegiance.
    Matt Barrows, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Just last month, a 35-year-old woman who pledged allegiance to ISIS and wanted to blow up the New York State Capitol building in Albany and also attack senators was arrested, authorities announced at a news conference in August.
    Mark Morales, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The collaboration reflects both companies’ commitment to developing sovereign defence capabilities in India through technology transfer, local value creation and skill development.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Even those inside Newcastle United were questioning the commitment and focus of some of their star players last season, when a staggering 27 points were dropped from winning positions.
    Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Tim Gray, one of Variety’s managing editors at the time and now executive VP of the Golden Globes, said his main recollection was of the staff’s dedication.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Officials called the dedication the first step in an ambitious process to improve the Tennessee airport near Parton’s final resting place.
    Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The British media devoured the story, as even then Day-Lewis was synonymous with intense devotion to his craft.
    Matt Donnelly, Variety, 6 Sep. 2026
  • As Anna covers for Fyodor’s addiction and increasingly unstable professional behavior, her devotion starts to look poisonous for them both.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The company relies on high-fidelity training simulators that replicate an infinite number of outcomes, such as system failures and peak-load scenarios, offline.
    Miroslav Katsarov, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Labor Day Headphones Deals Apple’s AirPods Max 2 deliver an exceptional combination of high-fidelity acoustics and pro-grade active noise cancellation.
    Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 8 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Loyalty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loyalty. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

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