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Synonym Chooser

How is the word devotion distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of devotion are allegiance, fealty, fidelity, loyalty, and piety. While all these words mean "faithfulness to something to which one is bound by pledge or duty," devotion stresses zeal and service amounting to self-dedication.

a painter's devotion to her art

When could allegiance be used to replace devotion?

While the synonyms allegiance and devotion are close in meaning, allegiance suggests an adherence like that of citizens to their country.

pledging allegiance

When would fealty be a good substitute for devotion?

The words fealty and devotion can be used in similar contexts, but fealty implies a fidelity acknowledged by the individual and as compelling as a sworn vow.

fealty to the truth

When might fidelity be a better fit than devotion?

In some situations, the words fidelity and devotion are roughly equivalent. However, fidelity implies strict and continuing faithfulness to an obligation, trust, or duty.

marital fidelity

Where would loyalty be a reasonable alternative to devotion?

The words loyalty and devotion 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 is it sensible to use piety instead of devotion?

Although the words piety and devotion have much in common, 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 devotion This project became both an ethnographic and photographic study of how women inhabit, resist, and reimagine their roles in a context denned by deep contradictions – beauty and chaos, devotion and repression, tradition and transformation. Vogue, 5 Sep. 2025 That was something that speaks to their relationship, their devotion to each other, and also answers the question that an audience might ask. Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025 Through countless binges and marathons, the NBC sitcom has built up a fan devotion that borders on religious. Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 3 Sep. 2025 From the start, Scout made his devotion known, particularly when Watson was expecting. Ashley Vega, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for devotion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devotion
Noun
  • There’s a reason a new generation of editors continues to fall in love with the brand, and the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is one of them.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • The Studio dominated its first season at the Emmys — but the show's creators showed no love to Sal Saperstein.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The promise of career gains through extreme dedication is often misleading, while the personal costs are undeniable.
    Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Advertisement This granular knowledge and deep curiosity is also what drives Speer’s long-standing dedication to protecting the vast, vulnerable open ocean and deep-sea environments that lie outside of national borders and hold some of the largest reservoirs of biodiversity on earth.
    Bonnie Tsui, Time, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Kirk began taking questions, first one about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Utah’s dominant religion, then another by a liberal TikTok user having to do with transgender people and gun violence.
    Rick Jervis, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025
  • No matter your religion or your politics, this is not the answer.
    Matthew Cupelli, The Enquirer, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Here, there’s nothing really left except the affection.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 12 Sep. 2025
  • His affection for sunflowers deepened after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
    Christine Fernando, Twin Cities, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The emotional record, shared alongside a video and lyrics posted to Instagram, hears Thugger addressing infidelity, loyalty, fractured friendships, while taking full accountability for his mistakes.
    Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • All Vera Wang Bride purchases will qualify for David’s Diamond Loyalty Program, the industry’s first and only bridal loyalty rewards program.
    Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • That combination of personal faith, bold activism, and national political influence gave Kirk a stature few others in the movement could match.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • For Jordan, that battle has meant staying grounded in his faith and refusing to let the disease isolate him.
    Essence, Essence, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Hess talked about chess with a sense of gravity that went beyond interest or mere passion; an elegant move or complex position would light him up.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Beyond the gridiron and his partnership with Hot Wheels, Wilson continues to build on his passion for inspiring the next generation through his lifestyle brand, 3BRAND.
    Andy Frye, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Traditional approaches focus on financial engineering such as negotiating discounts for long-term commitments, or on observability tools that track who is running what.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Microsoft has subsequently also offered to make further commitments to resolve its competition concerns after the European Commission market-tested the firm's initial pledges.
    Ryan Browne, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Devotion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devotion. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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