loyalty

noun

loy·​al·​ty ˈlȯi(-ə)l-tē How to pronounce loyalty (audio)
plural loyalties
: the quality or state or an instance of being loyal
the loyalty of the team's fans
Choose the Right Synonym for loyalty

fidelity, allegiance, fealty, loyalty, devotion, piety mean faithfulness to something to which one is bound by pledge or duty.

fidelity implies strict and continuing faithfulness to an obligation, trust, or duty.

marital fidelity

allegiance suggests an adherence like that of citizens to their country.

pledging allegiance

fealty implies a fidelity acknowledged by the individual and as compelling as a sworn vow.

fealty to the truth

loyalty implies a faithfulness that is steadfast in the face of any temptation to renounce, desert, or betray.

valued the loyalty of his friends

devotion stresses zeal and service amounting to self-dedication.

a painter's devotion to her art

piety stresses fidelity to obligations regarded as natural and fundamental.

filial piety

Examples of loyalty in a Sentence

the loyalty of the team's fans there was no denying that dog's loyalty to his master
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Members of the loyalty program, Hugo Boss XP, who have downloaded and signed into the mobile application will have the opportunity to participate in a raffle, with four prizes of 250 euro gift vouchers. Jean E. Palmieri, WWD, 4 Nov. 2024 Diversifying a loyalty program with gamification features leverages user engagement. Zsuzsa Kecsmar, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 Now, having secured the loyalty of the evangelical community, Trump has tacked back toward the center on the issue of reproductive rights. David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024 People stay in roles out of necessity rather than loyalty—an unsustainable arrangement that results in predictably low engagement. Eric Anicich, Harvard Business Review, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for loyalty 

Word History

Etymology

alteration of Middle English leawte, lewte, from Anglo-French lealté, leauté, from leal, leial loyal

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of loyalty was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near loyalty

Cite this Entry

“Loyalty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loyalty. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

loyalty

noun
loy·​al·​ty ˈlȯi(-ə)l-tē How to pronounce loyalty (audio)
plural loyalties
: the quality or state of being loyal

More from Merriam-Webster on loyalty

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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