fealty

noun

ˈfē(-ə)l-tē How to pronounce fealty (audio)
Definition of fealtynext
as in allegiance
adherence to something to which one is bound by a pledge or duty as much as I wanted to back my friend up, my fealty to the truth was greater, and I could not lie for him

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 That united display of fealty reflected Big Tech’s hopes that Trump would be more accommodating than President Joe Biden’s administration’s and help propel an already booming industry to even greater heights. —Michael Liedtke, Chicago Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025 That united display of fealty reflected Big Tech’s hopes that Trump would be more accommodating than President Biden’s administration and help propel an already booming industry to even greater heights. —Mae Anderson and Michael Liedtke, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2025 That united display of fealty reflected Big Tech's hopes that Trump would be more accommodating than former President Joe Biden's administration was and help propel an already booming industry to even greater heights. —Arkansas Online, 10 Apr. 2025 While the facts, as there are, remain the same, what is different is that instead of straight-arrow Attorney General Merrick Garland, sitting in the top job now is AG Pam Bondi, whose fealty to impartial justice isn’t quite as strong. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 23 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fealty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fealty
  1. allegiance
  2. loyalty
  3. commitment
  4. dedication
  5. devotion
  6. fidelity
Noun
  • Feeling abandoned, fans returned the favor, switching allegiances to the Lakers to remain with Doncic.
    — Bobby Krivitsky, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
  • Some videos show workers raising their right fists and pledging allegiance before a Chinese flag, evidence of the ideological training that experts say is often mandatory for Uyghur workers on such job programs.
    — David Pierson, New York Times, 29 May 2025
Definition of allegiance
Noun
  • Customers saw how reliable and stylish the existing products were, their dedication elevated loyalty to the emerging brand.
    — Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • The initiative is targeting a lucrative demographic: adults aged 25–44 from upper-middle-class backgrounds, who demonstrate long-term loyalty and a willingness to consume horror and fantasy content across multiple formats.
    — Jamie Lang, Variety, 21 May 2025
Definition of loyalty
Noun
  • Cruise, though, is very determined to remind us just how much physical commitment his action work requires.
    — Tom Gliatto, People.com, 26 May 2025
  • While the divides are challenging, all who serve have shown a shared commitment to ensure that Florida remains the best state in the nation to work, play and prosper.
    — Scott Shalley, Sun Sentinel, 26 May 2025
Definition of commitment
Noun
  • The guide is in line with the Space System Protection Standard, which summarizes NASA's continuous dedication to supporting the creation of exact cybersecurity standards for its space systems.
    — Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • The scholarships are awarded to student caddies who demonstrate academic excellence, financial need, dedication on the golf course and exemplary character.
    — Jad El Reda, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
Definition of dedication
Noun
  • Now, my devotion continues with her newest, Swept Away — a love story about two strangers who get stranded at sea together on a houseboat.
    — Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 24 May 2025
  • Elias may have to shake off his devotion to metrics and get back to signing people who can play baseball and stay healthy for the entire season.
    — Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 23 May 2025
Definition of devotion
Noun
  • Closer to home, Jeff’s billions can’t buy the fidelity of his girlfriend Hester (Hadley Robinson), who’s taken off for an orgy-adjacent gathering in Mexico.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 31 May 2025
  • Such recordings suffered from low fidelity and captured only a small segment of the audible sound spectrum.
    — Richard Gunderman, The Conversation, 28 May 2025
Definition of fidelity

Browse Nearby Words

fazing
fealty
fear
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Cite this Entry

“Fealty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fealty. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fealty

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