1 steadfast | Definition of steadfast
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steadfast

adjective
stead·​fast | \ ˈsted-ËŒfast also -fÉ™st How to pronounce steadfast (audio) \

Definition of steadfast

1a : firmly fixed in place : immovable
b : not subject to change the steadfast doctrine of original sin— Ellen Glasgow
2 : firm in belief, determination, or adherence : loyal her followers have remained steadfast
Other Words from steadfast Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about steadfast

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Other Words from steadfast

steadfastly adverb
steadfastness \ ˈsted-​ËŒfas(t)-​nÉ™s How to pronounce steadfastness (audio) , -​fÉ™s(t)-​ \ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for steadfast

faithful, loyal, constant, staunch, steadfast, resolute 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 loyal implies a firm resistance to any temptation to desert or betray. remained loyal to the czar constant stresses continuing firmness of emotional attachment without necessarily implying strict obedience to promises or vows. constant friends staunch suggests fortitude and resolution in adherence and imperviousness to influences that would weaken it. a staunch defender of free speech steadfast implies a steady and unwavering course in love, allegiance, or conviction. steadfast in their support resolute implies firm determination to adhere to a cause or purpose. a resolute ally

Did You Know?

Steadfast has held its ground in English for many centuries. Its Old English predecessor, stedefæst, combined stede (meaning "place" or "stead") and fæst (meaning "firmly fixed"). An Old English text of the late 10th century, called The Battle of Maldon, contains our earliest record of the word, which was first used in battle contexts to describe warriors who stood their ground. Soon, it was also being used with the broad meaning "immovable," and as early as the 13th century it was applied to those unswerving in loyalty, faith, or friendship. Centuries later, all of these meanings endure.

Examples of steadfast in a Sentence

He was steadfast in his support of the governor's policies. a steadfast supporter of women's rights

Recent Examples on the Web

 Opponents have also been steadfast in pitching around Bellinger when possible. — Los Angeles Times, "Dodgers Dugout: Opening up the reader mailbag," 6 Sep. 2019 The Harvard law professor has been steadfast in his support for Israel. — New York Times, "New & Noteworthy, From Abraham Lincoln to Dogs and Their People," 3 Sep. 2019 Open Arms is steadfast in refusing Spain’s offer of a port, saying even a few days of sailing would be beyond the crew’s and migrants’ limits. — Frances D’emilio, BostonGlobe.com, "Charity suggests plane could resolve migrant boat standoff," 19 Aug. 2019 But the vote didn’t discourage the roughly 400 objectors attending the protest Saturday, who remained steadfast in their disapproval. — Tess Sheets, orlandosentinel.com, "Hundreds protest Confederate statue in Lake County: ‘It is dividing us’," 10 Aug. 2019 The public also mistrusts the local police watchdog body, seen as lacking teeth and independence—but Lam has remained steadfast in rejecting calls for an independent inquiry. — Ilaria Maria Sala, Quartz, "Hong Kong’s last major riots reshaped the city into the one we know today," 9 July 2019 The administration has been steadfast in its refusal to give an inch to House Democrats. — Alex Shephard, The New Republic, "Do Democrats Really Want To See Trump’s Tax Returns?," 5 July 2019 However well intentioned white liberals were about remedying racial inequality, their élitism was steadfast. — Corey Robin, The New Yorker, "Clarence Thomas’s Radical Vision of Race," 21 June 2019 Flames seem to move in a steadfast line across the savannah, swallowing whole what forest remains in their path. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, "'All you can see is death.' The regions reeling from the Amazon rainforest fires," 25 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'steadfast.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of steadfast

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for steadfast

Middle English stedefast, from Old English stedefæst, from stede + fæst fixed, fast

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More Definitions for steadfast

steadfast

adjective
How to pronounce steadfast (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of steadfast

: very devoted or loyal to a person, belief, or cause : not changing

See the full definition for steadfast in the English Language Learners Dictionary

steadfast

adjective
stead·​fast | \ ˈsted-ËŒfast How to pronounce steadfast (audio) \

Kids Definition of steadfast

1 : not changing : resolute a steadfast refusal
2 : loyal steadfast friends

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