Synonym Chooser

How is the word steadfast distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of steadfast are constant, faithful, loyal, resolute, and staunch. While all these words mean "firm in adherence to whatever one owes allegiance," steadfast implies a steady and unwavering course in love, allegiance, or conviction.

steadfast in their support

When is it sensible to use constant instead of steadfast?

The synonyms constant and steadfast are sometimes interchangeable, but constant stresses continuing firmness of emotional attachment without necessarily implying strict obedience to promises or vows.

constant friends

In what contexts can faithful take the place of steadfast?

The words faithful and steadfast are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 could loyal be used to replace steadfast?

While in some cases nearly identical to steadfast, loyal implies a firm resistance to any temptation to desert or betray.

remained loyal to the czar

When is resolute a more appropriate choice than steadfast?

The meanings of resolute and steadfast largely overlap; however, resolute implies firm determination to adhere to a cause or purpose.

a resolute ally

When might staunch be a better fit than steadfast?

While the synonyms staunch and steadfast 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

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 steadfast 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 This has sometimes put us on the outs with steadfast loyalists of the ever-popular Cuisinart, the original food processor. Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025 It was designed to be the home of the future — steadfast against extreme weather and reliant only on the sun for power. Ryan Ballogg, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025 Thank you for being next to me, so steadfast, through so many years and so many transitions. Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for steadfast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steadfast
Adjective
  • Keystone ensures the Walkabout 26 Max exterior works as the most loyal of multi-adventure partners, starting with a huge pass-through front storage locker made possible by the drop frame.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2025
  • In recent years, Bleed had continued recording and performing, maintaining a loyal fan base drawn to his signature mix of southern wisdom and lyrical realism.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 4 Nov. 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
  • Coach is betting on footwear with a new dedicated store in New York’s Hudson Yards.
    Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Through this partnership, NAAREA will be able to inspect and maintain its microreactors using robotics, both in dedicated facilities and on-site.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 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

“Steadfast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steadfast. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.

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