Synonyms of devotion

devotion

noun

di-ˈvō-shən 

1

as in love

a feeling of strong or constant regard for and dedication to someone

Albert Schweitzer was world-renowned for his devotion to his fellow man

Synonyms & Similar Words

• love
• affection
• passion
• respect
• enthusiasm
• attachment
• fondness
• devotedness
• appreciation
• desire
• longing
• adoration
• loyalty
• zeal
• regard
• infatuation
• fervor
• liking
• preference
• eagerness
• worship
• allegiance
• taste
• fidelity
• yearning
• craving
• partiality
• esteem
• relish
• faithfulness
• ardor
• lust
• appetite
• crush
• like
• favor
• steadfastness
• idolatry
• fealty
• adulation
• estimation
• fancy
• deification
• idolization

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hatred
• hate
• hostility
• loathing
• antagonism
• enmity
• animosity
• abomination
• rancor
• aversion
• dislike
• antipathy
• allergy
• disgust
• revulsion
• repulsion
• repugnance
• disfavor
• abhorrence
• misanthropy

2

as in dedication

adherence to something to which one is bound by a pledge or duty

the knight's fierce devotion to his lord

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dedication
• loyalty
• commitment
• allegiance
• fidelity
• faithfulness
• steadfastness
• fealty
• piety
• attachment
• faith
• devotedness
• constancy
• adhesion
• affection
• troth
• fastness
• fondness
• determination
• dependability
• resolution
• reliability
• firmness
• trustworthiness
• trustiness
• trustability

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disloyalty
• treachery
• perfidy
• faithlessness
• infidelity
• falsity
• unfaithfulness
• inconstancy
• falseness
• alienation
• separation
• disaffection
• perfidiousness
• estrangement

3

as in religion

belief and trust in and loyalty to God

a people of deep spirituality and indomitable devotion

Synonyms & Similar Words

• religion
• faith
• adoration
• piety
• profession
• worship
• reverence
• veneration
• religiousness
• devoutness
• protestation
• piousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• atheism
• doubt
• godlessness
• disbelief
• unbelief
• unfaith
• agnosticism
• apostasy
• lapse
• tergiversation
• know-nothingism

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

Recent Examples of devotion

With the Geils band, the whole thing came down to the break-up of the band, and the emotional catharsis of that, after 17 and a half years of devotion. —Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2025

These men shower their wives with praise, heartfelt captions and picture-perfect moments, creating an image of unwavering devotion. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025

One, more light-hearted story is about the deity Krishna — whose skin was blue — and his love Radha, the goddess of love and devotion. —Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2025

Some congregants had completely cut off communication with their own parents or grandparents because their families wouldn’t match their devotion to Rose and the church. —Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2025

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