faithful 1 of 2

faithful

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word faithful distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of faithful are constant, loyal, resolute, staunch, and steadfast. While all these words mean "firm in adherence to whatever one owes allegiance," 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 might constant be a better fit than faithful?

The words constant and faithful 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 would loyal be a good substitute for faithful?

While the synonyms loyal and faithful are close in meaning, 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 faithful?

Although the words resolute and faithful have much in common, resolute implies firm determination to adhere to a cause or purpose.

a resolute ally

When can staunch be used instead of faithful?

The synonyms staunch and faithful are sometimes interchangeable, but staunch suggests fortitude and resolution in adherence and imperviousness to influences that would weaken it.

a staunch defender of free speech

When could steadfast be used to replace faithful?

The meanings of steadfast and faithful largely overlap; however, steadfast implies a steady and unwavering course in love, allegiance, or conviction.

steadfast in their support

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 faithful
Adjective
So far, the courts have been faithful to the Constitution. Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 8 Feb. 2025 Sarah Michelle Gellar promises fans a faithful reboot is underway. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2025
Noun
Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, will also need to mix it up with voters after a debate performance this week that ignited fresh doubts among Democratic faithful. Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 4 Oct. 2024 The Detroit Red Wings are going to miss the playoffs for the ninth straight year and just fired their coach, Derek Lalonde, as even the Detroit faithful are finally starting to turn on Steve Yzerman’s endless Yzerplan. Mark Lazerus, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for faithful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for faithful
Adjective
  • In Trump’s Washington, that title belongs to a different kind of creature: the ferociously loyal, hard-right, pro-Trump influencer.
    Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Focus on building an engaged audience that trusts your brand, as this trust is key to converting followers into loyal customers.
    Melissa Houston, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • After her mother’s death, Sevilla-Bazan struggled to get an accurate sense from Bishop or his followers of what exactly happened.
    David Peisner, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2025
  • Villa’s left-back then tries to find Watkins, but his cross isn’t accurate.
    Ahmed Walid, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Tatsuya Ueda, the owner of this operation, gets felled trees from local forestry cooperatives, and from gardeners and maintenance crews.
    Hannah Kirshner, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2025
  • Tony McCleary, broadband operations manager for Meeker Cooperative Light and Power Association, said the cooperative appreciated the grant-seeking effort.
    Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The announcement follows the Senate confirmation of Kash Patel, another Trump loyalist and media firebrand, to lead the FBI.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 23 Feb. 2025
  • Patel, a staunch Trump loyalist, has faced pushback from Democrats over threats to go after political enemies.
    Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • As Shared Economy Services continues to attract extraordinary talent & experience and increases its momentum, Bobby retains his passion and remains steadfast in his vision.
    Kody Boye, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025
  • As their friends glide in and out of liaisons, Mlotek and her boyfriend build a life together, their commitment mostly steadfast over the course of 12 years.
    Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The Airbrush is also a true full-length style that's proved clutch for taller shoppers (see below).
    Andrea Navarro, Glamour, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Some may worry that setting back your thermostats could end up costing more money, based on the common misconception that furnaces work harder to warm a space back up — but experts say that’s not true.
    Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The incident happened close to the border fence near Nahal Oz, an Israeli kibbutz, or agricultural commune.
    Lauren Kent, CNN, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Why not live offshore, bobbing in a libertarian commune free from burdensome social obligations, such as taxes?
    Brian Klaas, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • And the young soldier, fresh from deployment, trying to rebuild a life while facing daily frustration.
    Matt Robison, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Carleton argues that Russell and Tolstoy’s focus on the plight of the individual soldier amid the horror and senselessness of war shaped the public perception of later quagmires, such as World War I and the Vietnam War.
    Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Faithful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/faithful. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

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