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
Success is measured not only by individual survival but by the ability to either maintain deception as a traitor or detect betrayal as a faithful within the game’s high-stakes environment. Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 14 Sep. 2025 On Fan Appreciation Night, pink wigs were handed out to the Lynx faithful in honor of the StudBudz duo of Hiedeman and Courtney Williams. Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
This may not be the most popular prediction among the Blueshirts faithful, but the reality is the Rangers don’t have a ton of great options. Peter Baugh, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025 To this end, Newell envisioned staging faithful performances of screenplays, tightened and adapted with pop culture and history salted in as needed. Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for faithful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for faithful
Adjective
  • Or write a support email with the perfect mix of humor and sincerity to turn a fuming customer into a loyal advocate?
    Rupesh Dabbir, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Critics have also accused Patel of politicizing the FBI, firing senior officials seen as insufficiently loyal to Trump, and prioritizing public image over investigative integrity.
    Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Customer service and tech support will provide faster resolutions and more accurate answers.
    Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
  • That volume of data is impractical to fit theoretical models to deliver large-scale, accurate predictions.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Buoyed by membership growth, the local grocery cooperative has been eyeing five sites for possible expansion, including one in Northwest Meridian, Senior Marketing Director Tyler Schnur told the Idaho Statesman in March.
    Rose Evans September 12, Idaho Statesman, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Additional perspectives from the kibbutz come from several members of the cooperative’s security team and the wife of its security lead.
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Miran also has openly criticized Powell and his colleagues and is generally seen as a loyalist vote for the president and his desire for significantly lower rates.
    Jeff Cox, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Trump loyalist Stephen Miran joins the board today as a governor.
    Diane Brady, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • As each one of our kids left for college and then moved out on their own, Chewie remained right there like our steadfast companion.
    Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Sep. 2025
  • To Mike Hopkins, your steadfast leadership has been instrumental in shaping Prime Video’s new vision and success.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Slater’s first blast of the evening was a true wall-scraper in the top of the third, barely clearing the center-field fence to give the Giants an early 1-0 lead.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
  • And remember, the point spread is designed to divide the wagers evenly, not be a true indicator of value.
    Jack Magruder, Forbes.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • People were going out to commune and be around other people.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Herculine follows a young trans woman who decides to fight her malaise—and her demonic visions—by joining her ex’s trans girl commune in rural Indiana.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In this June 25, 2007 file photo, a Dominican Navy soldier stands guard over bales of cocaine during a news conference in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Hundreds of National Guard soldiers and Marines were deployed to the city in an effort to quell the explosive outbreak of demonstrations without Newsom’s approval.
    Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 20 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Faithful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/faithful. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.

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