faithful 1 of 2

faithful

2 of 2

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
The Front Range faithful who two summers ago lined the streets of downtown Denver, giddy to the last. Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 12 Apr. 2025 Trendy bamboo moms of Johnson County who dress their littles in the lux fabric have become her most faithful customers. Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2025
Noun
But will such efforts reach anyone outside the Democratic faithful? Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025 For many, $449 might be an unjustifiable luxury, but for the Nintendo faithful, these incremental improvements add up to something quite promising indeed. James Perkins Mastromarino, NPR, 3 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for faithful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for faithful
Adjective
  • The loyal throngs of fans that stuck around, even as the crowd dwindled, were duly rewarded when, a few hours later, Lorde arrived in the flesh to perform.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Valladolid’s supporters have remained loyal to their team through the ups and downs.
    Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
    Emily DeLetter, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Retailers often struggle with data silos, inconsistent quality, and integration issues, Sheridan says, which complicate accurate analysis in addition to concerns around consumer privacy.
    Kiri Masters, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The employees will co-own the business with the City Startup Labs through a workers cooperative, according to the Charlotte nonprofit.
    Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 18 Apr. 2025
  • In addition, the best AI literacy programs find ways to benefit from and contribute to partnerships and cooperatives in industries and academia.
    Ben Jones, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Trump replaced most of the board with loyalists, who then elected him the new Kennedy Center chairman.
    Ashraf Khalil, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Trump has endorsed a slew of conservative loyalists up for reelection in safe seats next year who are less likely to criticize the president, such as Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Steve Daines (R-MT), and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS).
    Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Decade after decade, the city remains steadfast in the face of adversity.
    Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Among those who left in time, some remained steadfast in their lifelong friendships, as did their children.
    Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Francis hailed as 'true advocate for peace' In 2019, Francis became the first pontiff to set foot on the peninsula where Islam was born.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • But against the Cavaliers, against the length of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, Ware stands essential, on a Heat roster that lacks a true backup center.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Last Joel had heard from him came from a radio tower in Cody, Wyoming. Episode 6 saw Joel and Ellie happen upon Tommy’s new people, a group living in a commune in Jackson, Wyoming.
    Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Five years on, Ellie has settled in a seemingly bucolic commune in Jackson, Wyoming, although a world-shattering lie about her past is about to catch up with her.
    Zing Tsjeng, Vogue, 11 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Just outside our car, soldiers beat down the door of a house and piled in.
    Antón Barba-Kay, The Atlantic, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Three Indian army officials said that Pakistani soldiers used small arms to fire at an Indian position in Kashmir late Thursday.
    Time, Time, 25 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on faithful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!