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 In order to architect that sort of financial turnaround, Fairview leaders spent time thinking through all of the indirect impacts of their economic decisions, including effects on patient loyalty and the size of their referral base, according to Hereford. Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025 For cannabis executives and entrepreneurs, the takeaway extends beyond paper: every element of the consumer journey, no matter how small, is an opportunity to reinforce values and build loyalty. Sara Payan, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025 The big story: The White House has a CEO loyalty list. Diane Brady, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025 Wednesday-as-Enid dumps Bruno for being a cheating loser; Enid-as-Wednesday realizes that Wednesday’s bad behavior has come from a place of loyalty and love. Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for loyalty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loyalty
Noun
  • And possibly sharks and God and the pledge of allegiance too.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2025
  • But Harbaugh and the Wolverines did not waver in their commitment, and the result of their allegiance will live on forever.
    Alec Lewis, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Traditional approaches focus on financial engineering such as negotiating discounts for long-term commitments, or on observability tools that track who is running what.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Microsoft has subsequently also offered to make further commitments to resolve its competition concerns after the European Commission market-tested the firm's initial pledges.
    Ryan Browne, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Because of his dedication to the center, Marshall became its namesake in 2023.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Yet, Aramayo’s sensitive portrayal of the man and Jones’ unflinching dedication to showing some of Davidson’s most painful moments, the ones that pushed him into action, add up to an insightful biopic that chronicles a very worthy subject.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • During Saturday night’s show, Gillis kept celebrating his Irish devotion.
    Pete Sampson, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The Ganges has been a center of trade and devotion for centuries, the Brahmaputra feeds tea estates and wildlife-rich floodplains, and Kerala’s canals knit together fishing towns and rice paddies.
    Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The ShiftCam ProMic shotgun mic is described as high-sensitivity, high-fidelity.
    Jan Wagner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Spotify has been teasing the high-fidelity format for years.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Loyalty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loyalty. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on loyalty

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