STAUNCH Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'staunch' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of staunch are constant , faithful , loyal , resolute , and steadfast . While all these words mean "firm in adherence to whatever one owes allegiance," staunch suggests fortitude and resolution in adherence and imperviousness to influences that would weaken it. // a staunch defender of free speech

Q: When can 'constant' be used instead of 'staunch'?

The words constant and staunch can be used in similar contexts, but constant stresses continuing firmness of emotional attachment without necessarily implying strict obedience to promises or vows. // constant friends

Q: When could 'faithful' be used to replace 'staunch'?

The synonyms faithful and staunch are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

Q: When would 'loyal' be a good substitute for 'staunch'?

Although the words loyal and staunch have much in common, loyal implies a firm resistance to any temptation to desert or betray. // remained loyal to the czar

Q: When is it sensible to use 'resolute' instead of 'staunch'?

While the synonyms resolute and staunch are close in meaning, resolute implies firm determination to adhere to a cause or purpose. // a resolute ally

Q: When is 'steadfast' a more appropriate choice than 'staunch'?

While in some cases nearly identical to staunch , steadfast implies a steady and unwavering course in love, allegiance, or conviction. // steadfast in their support

staunch

adjective

ˈstȯnch

variants also stanch

Definition of staunch next

as in devout

firm in one's allegiance to someone or something a staunch believer in the democratic system

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word staunch distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of staunch are constant, faithful, loyal, resolute, and steadfast. While all these words mean "firm in adherence to whatever one owes allegiance," staunch suggests fortitude and resolution in adherence and imperviousness to influences that would weaken it.

a staunch defender of free speech

When can constant be used instead of staunch?

The words constant and staunch can be used in similar contexts, but constant stresses continuing firmness of emotional attachment without necessarily implying strict obedience to promises or vows.

constant friends

When could faithful be used to replace staunch?

The synonyms faithful and staunch are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 loyal be a good substitute for staunch?

Although the words loyal and staunch have much in common, loyal implies a firm resistance to any temptation to desert or betray.

remained loyal to the czar

When is it sensible to use resolute instead of staunch?

While the synonyms resolute and staunch are close in meaning, resolute implies firm determination to adhere to a cause or purpose.

a resolute ally

When is steadfast a more appropriate choice than staunch?

While in some cases nearly identical to staunch, steadfast implies a steady and unwavering course in love, allegiance, or conviction.

steadfast in their support

Examples 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 staunch The problem for Bezos is that Musk has recently remade himself as a staunch Trump ally, endorsing the former president in July, and donating more than $100 million to him and other Republican candidates. —

Samuel Burke, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024 In 2019, many people opted to boycott Home Depot following Marcus' staunch support of Trump. —

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 As for the government agency responsible for the management of these cats, CPW stressed its staunch neutrality in a factsheet about Colorado’s mountain lion, bobcat and lynx populations. —

Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 1 Nov. 2024 President Richard Nixon, who signed the Controlled Substances Act in 1970, which prohibited many psychedelics, was close friends with Claire Boothe Luce, a Republican Congress member and staunch advocate for psychedelic therapy. —

Shayla Love, The Atlantic, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for staunch

Recent Examples of Synonyms for staunch

Adjective

Here, the Pacifica played with devout focus, bringing us into the territory of late Beethoven and late Shostakovich.

Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024
But that is exactly what the 72-year-old devout Catholic and grandmother has become to some in this northern California county — which has been convulsed by conspiracy theories about voter fraud and other extremist ideologies over the last three years.

Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024