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

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 allegiance As the program got underway, several of the designers and fashion insiders, who attended FIT, stood up to speak of their allegiance. Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 2 Apr. 2025 The Spaniard made the move after winning the 2023 Masters, which changed his thinking about switching allegiances. Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 9 Apr. 2025 Across the nation more and more Hispanic—and to some extent Black voters—are switching allegiance the Republicans. Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025 The person displays insignia, logos, notations, drawings, or dress known to indicate allegiance to TDA, as observed by law enforcement in person or through virtual means (4 points). Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for allegiance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for allegiance
Noun
  • Strong connections drive loyalty, turning readers into advocates.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • My distrust of Trump is anchored in his track record of personally courting white supremacists and neo-Nazis, spreading conspiracy theories featuring antisemitic tropes, and insinuating that Jewish-Americans have dual loyalty.
    Ben Krull, New York Daily News, 12 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Notwithstanding recent moments of tension around Israel, the Catholic Church has affirmed time and time again its commitment to fighting antisemitism and appreciating Judaism as a sibling tradition.
    Joshua Stanton, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Recognitions such as being named one of Fort Worth’s Top 500 Most Influential People and receiving awards like Entrepreneur of Excellence and Community Advocate of the Year highlight my commitment to serving our city.
    Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • His final appearance—made after a prolonged illness and hospitalization—has become a symbol of his resilience and dedication to pastoral duties even in declining health.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Marks built that reputation through four years of loyalty and dedication at Mississippi State, and carried it onto USC.
    Aaron Heisen, Oc Register, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • American Idol leaned into the Easter Sunday (April 20) holiday with a three-hour episode in which this season’s top 20 sang anthems of faith and devotion, with one contestant turning heads thanks to his original song dedicated to a lost friend.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Today By Paulina Berges Another theme becomes clear in this survey of Sherald’s work: the artist’s devotion to capturing the joys of the Black American experience.
    Juliana Ukiomogbe, Vogue, 16 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Further testing will be performed at ESA’s Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, which will have facilities to replicate the Moon’s surface with even greater fidelity.
    James Morris, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
  • Liberal children tended to recall more accurately the ratio of desirable and undesirable traits in the characters of the story; their memories possessed greater fidelity to the story as it was originally told.
    Matt Richtel, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Allegiance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allegiance. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on allegiance

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