faithful 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfāth-fəl How to pronounce faithful (audio)
Definition of faithfulnext
1
as in loyal
firm in one's allegiance to someone or something fans of the Chicago Cubs are famously faithful

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in accurate
following an original exactly a faithful filming of Robert Louis Stevenson's novel Treasure Island

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

faithful

2 of 2

noun

1
as in cooperative

Related Words
2
as in loyalist

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

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 Royals faithful — all 39,320 in attendance — erupted with applause. —Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026 The Falcons faithful again packed the rink Sunday to celebrate a third straight crowning. —Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
Members of the Republican faithful are gathering in Dallas on Saturday for the final day of the Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC, the annual event known for high-profile appearances from the most prominent figures in the MAGA movement. —Elena Moore, NPR, 28 Mar. 2026 Fittingly, Victor Wembanyama gave the San Antonio faithful its moment. —Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 19 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for faithful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for faithful
  1. loyal
  2. accurate
  3. cooperative
  4. loyalist
  5. steadfast
  6. true
  7. commune
  8. soldier
Adjective
  • The color palette changed so that the attire of the Cogsworth character — the Beast’s loyal majordomo who has been transformed into a clock — is now green rather than brown.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026
  • If New York City no longer loves TR, Medora has remained loyal.
    — Beverly Gage, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2026
Definition of loyal
Adjective
  • Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
    — Cody Godwin, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Hedrick also won a Fiesta Bowl, in 2014, and was hailed as one of the most accurate passers in the nation.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of accurate
Noun
  • Shea butter used in the formulations, for example, is sourced from a women’s cooperative in Africa through FairTale GHANA, which helps support education for local families.
    — Matt Emma, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Come next school year, Wyandotte County’s long-standing special education cooperative could be but a memory to area educators and advocates.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of cooperative
Noun
  • Dhillon currently serves as Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division and is known as a staunch loyalist to the president.
    — Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
  • More like a memo from the dictator, telling gullible loyalists what to think.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of loyalist
Adjective
  • Spain and Italy have both denied America use of military bases in their territory; Britain, the erstwhile steadfast ally of America, wavered on the issue, too.
    — Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2026
  • There’s something agonizingly beautiful in waiting—in longing, in steadfast desire.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of steadfast
Adjective
  • There was no true striker for England.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2026
  • The Full Moon highlights your 4th House of Traditions, nudging you to think about what makes your residence a true home base.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of true
Noun
  • Audiences want to feel, to commune, to dissect, to yearn.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2026
  • For two hours, Claire Jefferies wanted to get away from the war in Iran and the rising gas prices and just commune with nature.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
Definition of commune
Noun
  • Military police are often the only armed personnel on base, outside of shooting ranges, hunting areas or in training, where soldiers can wield their service weapons without ammunition.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
  • The village’s Black residents, including Hettie, are energized by a promising but tangled effort to redress a long-standing injustice—the unequal compensation received by Black South African soldiers in the Second World War.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of soldier

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Cite this Entry

“Faithful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/faithful. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on faithful

Nglish: Translation of faithful for Spanish Speakers

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