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

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in loyalist

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
It’s been nearly, well, 28 years since Danny Boyle gave zombie cinema a jittery digital makeover while irking the Romero faithful with his sprinting hordes of agile infected. —A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 20 May 2025 Hamilton’s pastor described her as faithful, joyful, ready to help and a great mom, KOB4 reported. —Sara Schilling, Sacbee.com, 19 May 2025
Noun
The Senators faithful deserve full marks for showing up and getting loud amid fears the Canadian Tire Centre would be taken over by Leafs fans. —Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025 The game’s final play will live long in the memories of the Florida faithful. —Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025 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
  • His close friends and colleagues often described him as loyal, deeply thoughtful, and warm in his own way—just not overly expressive.
    — Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 May 2025
  • The friends not keen on competing become our valiant team of producers — recording content and posting updates live for our loyal Instagram fanbase (almost 200 followers).
    — Mia Venkat, NPR, 31 May 2025
Definition of loyal
Adjective
  • Forecasts will become less accurate in time, with people getting less lead time when inclement weather may impact their daily lives.
    — Bryan Karrick, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 May 2025
  • Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
    — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 29 May 2025
Definition of accurate
Noun
  • Through the cooperatives, the winegrowers managed to survive this challenging period.
    — Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
  • The signees included pipefitters unions, several electrical cooperatives, Xcel Energy and chambers of commerce and some county governments.
    — Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of cooperative
Noun
  • Babbitt's death was a rallying point for Trump loyalists and Capitol rioters who alleged police used unnecessary force in stopping the mob on Jan. 6.
    — Michael Kaplan, CBS News, 19 May 2025
  • While his national approval ratings are fair, Vance’s political stock has certainly improved with Trump loyalists.
    — Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 18 May 2025
Definition of loyalist
Adjective
  • Despite Aspinall winning the interim crown, UFC CEO Dana White remained steadfast in saying that Jones vs. Miocic was the fight to make.
    — Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • Over the years, the Biden family has confronted unimaginable adversity with grace and steadfast perseverance.
    — Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 18 May 2025
Definition of steadfast
Adjective
  • The formula for ‘true tackles’ is slightly more long-winded: tackles + challenges lost + fouls committed.
    — Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • But these mitigation efforts are, at best, half-measures, not true adaptation.
    — Edmund Zagorin, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Definition of true
Noun
  • Who is Dina? Dina, a teenager in the Jackson commune, is a key character in The Last of Us Part II.
    — Randall Colburn, EW.com, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Rudell could have easily begun her story with any number of the personal reflections and gripping accounts of commune living.
    — Seth Combs, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of commune
Noun
  • Named by Variety as one of 10 Spanish directors to watch in 2022, Azorín delivers a dual-timeline narrative set in Roman baths, where a 21st-century boy shares a hot bath with a 1st-century Roman soldier, both reflecting on their own frailty.
    — Annika Pham, Variety, 19 May 2025
  • Pantoliano’s character, Angelo, was a soldier in the infantry, stationed in Hawaii in 1941.
    — Carrie Wittmer, Vulture, 19 May 2025
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 3 Jun. 2025.

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