ALLEGIANCE Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'allegiance' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of allegiance are devotion , fealty , fidelity , loyalty , and piety . While all these words mean "faithfulness to something to which one is bound by pledge or duty," allegiance suggests an adherence like that of citizens to their country. // pledging allegiance

Q: When might 'devotion' be a better fit than 'allegiance'?

While the synonyms devotion and allegiance are close in meaning, devotion stresses zeal and service amounting to self-dedication. // a painter's devotion to her art

Q: When would 'fealty' be a good substitute for 'allegiance'?

Although the words fealty and allegiance have much in common, fealty implies a fidelity acknowledged by the individual and as compelling as a sworn vow. // fealty to the truth

Q: When could 'fidelity' be used to replace 'allegiance'?

The words fidelity and allegiance can be used in similar contexts, but fidelity implies strict and continuing faithfulness to an obligation, trust, or duty. // marital fidelity

Q: In what contexts can 'loyalty' take the place of 'allegiance'?

The words loyalty and allegiance 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

Q: When can 'piety' be used instead of 'allegiance'?

The meanings of piety and allegiance largely overlap; however, piety stresses fidelity to obligations regarded as natural and fundamental. // filial piety

allegiance

noun

ə-ˈlē-jən(t)s

Definition of allegiance next

as in loyalty

adherence to something to which one is bound by a pledge or duty torn between his allegiance to his native country and the opportunities a sports career in the U.S. could offer

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How is the word allegiance distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of allegiance are devotion, fealty, fidelity, loyalty, and piety. While all these words mean "faithfulness to something to which one is bound by pledge or duty," allegiance suggests an adherence like that of citizens to their country.

pledging allegiance

When might devotion be a better fit than allegiance?

While the synonyms devotion and allegiance are close in meaning, devotion stresses zeal and service amounting to self-dedication.

a painter's devotion to her art

When would fealty be a good substitute for allegiance?

Although the words fealty and allegiance have much in common, fealty implies a fidelity acknowledged by the individual and as compelling as a sworn vow.

fealty to the truth

When could fidelity be used to replace allegiance?

The words fidelity and allegiance can be used in similar contexts, but fidelity implies strict and continuing faithfulness to an obligation, trust, or duty.

marital fidelity

In what contexts can loyalty take the place of allegiance?

The words loyalty and allegiance 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 can piety be used instead of allegiance?

The meanings of piety and allegiance largely overlap; however, 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 allegiance Your allegiance to the devil wasn’t supposed to be a brand. —

Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 20 May 2026 That the current Republican Party is defined by allegiance to a person rather than any principle is not a new development. —

Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 20 May 2026 Increasingly problematic for Musk, the looming fallout between OpenAI and Apple suggests their allegiance is not that deep. —

Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026 Uncapped Inter striker Anfe-Yoan Bonny, who only last week completed a switch of international allegiance having represented France at youth level, and Nice’s Elye Wahi have both been included. —

Nnamdi Onyeagwara, New York Times, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for allegiance

Recent Examples of Synonyms for allegiance

Noun

The next step is the dissolution of truth and the prioritisation of loyalty above decency.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
But fragrance alone doesn’t explain the loyalty; the accompanying nongreasy richness that helps leave skin feeling remarkably smooth, soft, and radiant does.

— Marci Robin, Allure, 20 May 2026

Definition of loyalty

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alleges

allegiance

alleging

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“Allegiance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allegiance. Accessed 24 May. 2026.

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Synonyms of allegiance

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