Synonym Chooser

How is the word allegiance distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of allegiance are devotion, fealty, fidelity, loyalty, and piety. While all these words mean "faithfulness to something to which one is bound by pledge or duty," allegiance suggests an adherence like that of citizens to their country.

pledging allegiance

When might devotion be a better fit than allegiance?

While the synonyms devotion and allegiance are close in meaning, devotion stresses zeal and service amounting to self-dedication.

a painter's devotion to her art

When would fealty be a good substitute for allegiance?

Although the words fealty and allegiance have much in common, fealty implies a fidelity acknowledged by the individual and as compelling as a sworn vow.

fealty to the truth

When could fidelity be used to replace allegiance?

The words fidelity and allegiance can be used in similar contexts, but fidelity implies strict and continuing faithfulness to an obligation, trust, or duty.

marital fidelity

In what contexts can loyalty take the place of allegiance?

The words loyalty and allegiance are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 can piety be used instead of allegiance?

The meanings of piety and allegiance largely overlap; however, piety stresses fidelity to obligations regarded as natural and fundamental.

filial piety

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 allegiance As their romance inches towards its predictable conclusion, the more intriguing characters who populate Primeval’s periphery—where a web of allegiances, compromises, and betrayals echoes our current state of sociopolitical chaos—fade into a fog of gunpowder. Judy Berman, TIME, 9 Jan. 2025 Psycho Bunny is showing its allegiance to the sport of tennis. Jean E. Palmieri, WWD, 7 Jan. 2025 Even governments closely aligned with the United States are becoming more independent and entrepreneurial in their geopolitical allegiances. Alexander Cooley, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025 But Perreault has left no doubt over where his allegiance lies. Julian McKenzie, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for allegiance 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allegiance
Noun
  • Lawmakers have also sounded the alarm about Patel’s loyalty to Trump.
    Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2025
  • The app will offer opportunities to order espressos to-go and customers can receive loyalty points for each purchase at both wineries.
    Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Trinity’s engagements with Hartford, and its inextricable co-dependencies, are not without flaws, but community commitments and points of progress abound.
    Garth Andrew Myers, Hartford Courant, 26 Jan. 2025
  • This commitment is far too robust to be derailed by the absence of any single participant.
    Thais Lopez Vogel, Orlando Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • This initiative reflects Dixon’s dedication to fostering personal growth and uplifting his community.
    William Jones, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025
  • This dedication to sustainability is a key differentiator, appealing to environmentally conscious businesses and educational institutions looking to minimize their carbon footprint.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Within five lines, the bridge incorporates a hymnal, pledges undying devotion and solidifies a spiritual quality to the relationship that had been seeded earlier.
    Tom Roland, Billboard, 14 Jan. 2025
  • More on culture On Broadway, mothers are usually either objects of devotion or monsters.
    Raymond Zhong, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • According to Nvidia, this uses twice as many parameters and four times the computer power to create images with higher overall image fidelity.
    Michael Justin Allen Sexton, PCMAG, 15 Jan. 2025
  • The purpose is to create rich bass while also offering fidelity to the artist’s original intention, the company says, without .
    David Phelan, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near allegiance

Cite this Entry

“Allegiance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allegiance. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on allegiance

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