stalwart

1 of 2

adjective

stal·​wart ˈstȯl-wərt 

: marked by outstanding strength and vigor of body, mind, or spirit

stalwart common sense

stalwartly adverb

stalwartness noun

stalwart

2 of 2

noun

1

: a stalwart person

2

: an unwavering partisan

Did you know?

Sometime in the 15th century, English speakers began to use stalwart in place of the older form stalworth. Although stalworth is now archaic, it laid the groundwork for today's meaning of stalwart. During the 12th century, forms of stalworth began to be used to describe strongly built people or animals (a meaning stalwart carries). It also came to be used as an adjective for people who showed bravery or courage (likewise a meaning passed on to stalwart). So, in a way, stalwart has been serviceable in keeping the spirit of stalworth alive. This character of stalwart is true to its roots. Stalworth came from the Old English word stǣlwierthe (meaning "serviceable"), which, in turn, is thought to come from terms meaning "foundation" and "worth."

Synonyms

Adjective

• bold
• brave
• courageous
• dauntless
• doughty
• fearless
• gallant
• greathearted
• gutsy
• gutty
• heroic
• heroical
• intrepid
• lionhearted
• manful
• stout
• stouthearted
• undauntable
• undaunted
• valiant
• valorous

Choose the Right Synonym for stalwart

strong, stout, sturdy, stalwart, tough, tenacious mean showing power to resist or to endure.

strong may imply power derived from muscular vigor, large size, structural soundness, intellectual or spiritual resources.

strong arms

the defense has a strong case

stout suggests an ability to endure stress, pain, or hard use without giving way.

stout hiking boots

sturdy implies strength derived from vigorous growth, determination of spirit, solidity of construction.

a sturdy table

people of sturdy independence

stalwart suggests an unshakable dependability.

stalwart environmentalists

tough implies great firmness and resiliency.

a tough political opponent

tenacious suggests strength in seizing, retaining, clinging to, or holding together.

tenacious farmers clinging to an age-old way of life

Examples of stalwart in a Sentence

Adjective

their strong and stalwart son

the stalwart soldiers in the army of Alexander the Great, who willingly followed him to the ends of the known world

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

European Union rattled again Years after financial crisis drove a wedge in the European bloc, and nearly five years after Brexit, the European Union is facing a new sign of internal discord: The 27-member bloc has been a stalwart supporter of Ukraine, but unity is fraying. —Philipp Jenne and Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2025

These stalwart trees stand among historic structures—such as Christ Church, Frederica—reflecting the area’s heritage. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 6 Jan. 2025

Noun

Most people pass these ubiquitous stalwarts without knowing what they are called or what they are used for. —James Barron, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025

Cocktails like the Gimlet that had long been understood as gin stalwarts were treated as vodka drinks by default. —Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 4 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, alteration of stalworth, from Old English stǣlwierthe serviceable

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

stalwart

1 of 2 adjective

stal·​wart ˈstȯl-wərt 

: marked by outstanding strength and vigor of mind, body, or spirit

has stalwart common sense

a stalwart team of rescuers

stalwartly adverb

stalwart

2 of 2 noun

1

: a stalwart person

2

: a loyal supporter (as in politics)