Definition of fealtynext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fealty distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of fealty are allegiance, devotion, fidelity, loyalty, and piety. While all these words mean "faithfulness to something to which one is bound by pledge or duty," fealty implies a fidelity acknowledged by the individual and as compelling as a sworn vow.

fealty to the truth

Where would allegiance be a reasonable alternative to fealty?

While the synonyms allegiance and fealty are close in meaning, allegiance suggests an adherence like that of citizens to their country.

pledging allegiance

In what contexts can devotion take the place of fealty?

The meanings of devotion and fealty largely overlap; however, devotion stresses zeal and service amounting to self-dedication.

a painter's devotion to her art

When could fidelity be used to replace fealty?

While in some cases nearly identical to fealty, fidelity implies strict and continuing faithfulness to an obligation, trust, or duty.

marital fidelity

When would loyalty be a good substitute for fealty?

The words loyalty and fealty 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 might piety be a better fit than fealty?

The synonyms piety and fealty are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 fealty The president’s political superpower is his ability to inspire almost-total fealty from his fellow Republicans, but some inside the West Wing are cognizant that Iran adds to a number of fractures that have appeared over the past few months, including tensions over the Epstein files. Toluse Olorunnipa, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026 Kin’s dual viewpoints obscure where Jones’s fealty lies, but only slightly. Tembe Denton-Hurst, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2026 In accordance with the film’s main theme of toxic white colonialism, Kennedy treats Philomac with contempt but shows a weird fealty to Casey. Damon Wise, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026 How to think about thinking about cabbage Trends demand both fealty and novelty. Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 17 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fealty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fealty
Noun
  • 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
  • Vancouver Whitecaps teenager Rayan Elloumi, 18, will have the chance to build on his two caps since changing allegiance from Canada earlier this year.
    Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 15 May 2026
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
Noun
  • Trump blasted Cassidy as voters went to polls Trump called out Cassidy again as Pelican State voters were flocking to the polls, further underscoring his commitment to dislodging GOP dissenters.
    Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 17 May 2026
  • Freedom and commitment do not have to fight today.
    Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2026
Noun
  • The community branch of sustainability is equally visible in the number of on-island partnerships with local businesses and the dedication to sourcing as much as possible from nearby farms and purveyors.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 May 2026
  • In addition, Rancho Santa Fe residents Susan and Bill Hoehn received the Peggy Matthews Legacy Award at the event for their decades of service and dedication to the mission of The Salvation Army and many other organizations, the news release stated.
    Rancho Santa Fe Review, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2026
Noun
  • In her tribute to her father, Hawaa painted a picture of devotion, openness, self-improvement and selflessness.
    Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2026
  • The film’s climax — a long, unbroken scene in which Norman falls apart after the actor’s death, finally undone by years of devotion that went unthanked — was shot in a single take at director Peter Yates’s insistence.
    Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 19 May 2026
Noun
  • If calibration is slow, manual, or inconsistent, the result is lower uptime, lower fidelity, and a less investable platform.
    Karl Freund, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
  • But the operations were done with pretty reasonable fidelity.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 8 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fealty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fealty. Accessed 23 May. 2026.

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