Definition of steadfastnext

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 Community supporter and legal advocate Over decades in South Florida, Klock earned a reputation as a formidable advocate, a mentor to younger lawyers and a steadfast supporter of the community. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2026 Some parents are steadfast in their belief that public schools are not for them. — Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026 But the companies with the most durable, steadfast brands rarely built them through visibility. — Sophie Attwood, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Mayor Zohran Mamdani debuted a sweeping plan Tuesday to combat antisemitism and hate crimes against Jewish people in New York City, moving to assuage concerns from critics who see his steadfast denunciations of Israel as antisemitic. — Anthony Izaguirre, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for steadfast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steadfast
Adjective
  • Members who believe their institution is genuinely looking out for them tend to stay loyal.
    — Anand Solanki, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The brand’s distinctive designs, which feature minimalistic, clean, architectural shapes, have had a loyal following.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Republicans coalesced around Hilton after the president endorsed him over his GOP rival, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a staunch Trump supporter who later said the endorsement made Hilton unelectable.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Democrats must decide whether to take the deal in front of them or, possibly with a congressional majority next year, craft a version more to their liking that may be met with staunch GOP opposition and, thus, gridlock purgatory yet again.
    — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Housed in a walk-in room situated within a larger exhibition hall, the Castelli copy is so faithful that even the gallery’s parquet floor has been reconstructed here.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The movie is notably faithful, at times dutifully chronological and nearly always horror-movie bracing on the subject of the rise of capitalist AI.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Skillet now regularly shares stages with a wide range of acts, from the devout to the secular, including Korn, Breaking Benjamin, Shinedown, Disturbed, and Papa Roach.
    — Steve Appleford, SPIN, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The backstory Personas in the hotel’s backstory include a Thai rockstar-slash-antiques collector, a devout Buddhist business tycoon, and a superstar designer.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • An invite-only Rocket Variant replaces standard features with a single-seat configuration and perimeter thrusters for true flight, rendering it non-road-legal.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The counter-argument that these groups already get the same knowledge from Iran, which gets it from China, Russia, and North Korea, is largely true.
    — Stephen Messer, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Gamers, creators, developers, and AI power users each got their own dedicated slide deck to explain the chip’s benefits.
    — Sean Hollister, The Verge, 15 Oct. 2026
  • New ramps will be built along with dedicated areas where buses can wait between trips, instead of contributing to congestion on nearby streets.
    — Elijah Westbrook, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The outstanding artwork of the exhibition, Goldin’s slideshow, largely devoted to candid portraits of friends, many shot in her Bowery loft, remains stunningly raw.
    — J. Hoberman, ARTnews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
  • That kind of anecdotal genre fatigue doesn’t establish an industry surplus — but the sentiment does suggest that even devoted horror fans sometimes need help pacing themselves.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Steadfast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steadfast. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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