Synonym Chooser

How is the word loyal distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of loyal are constant, faithful, resolute, staunch, and steadfast. While all these words mean "firm in adherence to whatever one owes allegiance," loyal implies a firm resistance to any temptation to desert or betray.

remained loyal to the czar

When is constant a more appropriate choice than loyal?

The meanings of constant and loyal largely overlap; however, constant stresses continuing firmness of emotional attachment without necessarily implying strict obedience to promises or vows.

constant friends

When can faithful be used instead of loyal?

Although the words faithful and loyal have much in common, 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 would resolute be a good substitute for loyal?

The synonyms resolute and loyal are sometimes interchangeable, but resolute implies firm determination to adhere to a cause or purpose.

a resolute ally

When is it sensible to use staunch instead of loyal?

While the synonyms staunch and loyal are close in meaning, staunch suggests fortitude and resolution in adherence and imperviousness to influences that would weaken it.

a staunch defender of free speech

Where would steadfast be a reasonable alternative to loyal?

While in some cases nearly identical to loyal, 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 loyal The company has a large loyal customer base in Miami and has been in Florida for more than seven years. Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 31 Mar. 2025 Greenlaw, Early said, has always been fiercely loyal to his teammates and those loyal to him, harboring deep bonds with Shanahan and fellow linebacker Fred Warner in San Francisco. Luca Evans, Mercury News, 31 Mar. 2025 When a company makes big changes that alienate some of its loyal customers, smart competitors take action to try to capture some of those customers. Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025 But Tom Izzo isn’t cheating the people that have been loyal to him for this chaos that is going on out there. Justin Williams, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for loyal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loyal
Adjective
  • Despite growing exhaustion, Booker remained steadfast, sustaining himself with only water as his voice grew stronger with emotion.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Despite the shifting sands in the content marketplace, Mayer assured the crowd of industry insiders that Blackrock remains steadfast in its Candle investment.
    Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • What To Know Tuberville, a staunch Trump supporter, joined guest host Jackie DeAngelis on Sunday Morning Futures to discuss the recent Senate GOP budget, which passed 51-48 on Saturday, with Republican Senators Rand Paul of Kentucky and Susan Collins of Maine voting against the bill.
    John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Apr. 2025
  • The billionaire Ackman, a staunch Trump supporter, put the market's fears about the fate of the global economy in the starkest terms possible.
    Ben Berkowitz, Axios, 6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Memorable night Before the match, even the most faithful Arsenal fan would have been nervous for the game against a Champions League specialist.
    Ben Church, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025
  • According to Boyer, the television adaptation of her and Kochan’s podcast is primarily faithful to Kochan’s real-life story.
    Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Some of the negative comments on Stefani's post were met with pushback from other fans, who pointed out that the singer has long been candid about her devout Catholic faith.
    Ashley Hume, Fox News, 24 Mar. 2025
  • Raised primarily by his mother and grandparents in a devout Catholic household, Dr. Gantes spent time under the wing of a neighborhood priest, who organized projects in small farming communities.
    Adam Williams, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Read More | Local’s theory about ancient standing stone in UK forest turns out to be true.
    Stories by Real-Time news team, with AI summarization, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Given his body type and potential, maybe the same could be true for Williams.
    Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Rudy the dog, who lives in New York with his owner, Samantha, racked up more than 1.7 million likes in just a few days, after Samantha shared his antics to his dedicated account, @rudyrudyroo, on April 5.
    Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Once added to the system, customers can make orders through a dedicated Zipline app.
    Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • And there’s a kind of directness and simplicity, and everything is devoted to the action.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
  • With stories of family chaos, missteps and her devoted dog Chunk, Chelsea hilariously tackles the world’s most absurd travel situations.
    Ashlee Conour, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Loyal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loyal. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on loyal

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