ALLEGIANCE Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'allegiance' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of allegiance are devotion , fealty , fidelity , loyalty , and piety . While all these words mean "faithfulness to something to which one is bound by pledge or duty," allegiance suggests an adherence like that of citizens to their country. // pledging allegiance

Q: When might 'devotion' be a better fit than 'allegiance'?

While the synonyms devotion and allegiance are close in meaning, devotion stresses zeal and service amounting to self-dedication. // a painter's devotion to her art

Q: When would 'fealty' be a good substitute for 'allegiance'?

Although the words fealty and allegiance have much in common, fealty implies a fidelity acknowledged by the individual and as compelling as a sworn vow. // fealty to the truth

Q: When could 'fidelity' be used to replace 'allegiance'?

The words fidelity and allegiance can be used in similar contexts, but fidelity implies strict and continuing faithfulness to an obligation, trust, or duty. // marital fidelity

Q: In what contexts can 'loyalty' take the place of 'allegiance'?

The words loyalty and allegiance 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

Q: When can 'piety' be used instead of 'allegiance'?

The meanings of piety and allegiance largely overlap; however, piety stresses fidelity to obligations regarded as natural and fundamental. // filial piety

allegiance

noun

ə-ˈlē-jən(t)s

Definition of allegiance next

as in loyalty

adherence to something to which one is bound by a pledge or duty torn between his allegiance to his native country and the opportunities a sports career in the U.S. could offer

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How is the word allegiance distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of allegiance are devotion, fealty, fidelity, loyalty, and piety. While all these words mean "faithfulness to something to which one is bound by pledge or duty," allegiance suggests an adherence like that of citizens to their country.

pledging allegiance

When might devotion be a better fit than allegiance?

While the synonyms devotion and allegiance are close in meaning, devotion stresses zeal and service amounting to self-dedication.

a painter's devotion to her art

When would fealty be a good substitute for allegiance?

Although the words fealty and allegiance have much in common, fealty implies a fidelity acknowledged by the individual and as compelling as a sworn vow.

fealty to the truth

When could fidelity be used to replace allegiance?

The words fidelity and allegiance can be used in similar contexts, but fidelity implies strict and continuing faithfulness to an obligation, trust, or duty.

marital fidelity

In what contexts can loyalty take the place of allegiance?

The words loyalty and allegiance 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 can piety be used instead of allegiance?

The meanings of piety and allegiance largely overlap; however, piety stresses fidelity to obligations regarded as natural and fundamental.

filial piety

Examples 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 allegiance In an election with historic political division, Osborn is marketing himself as a candidate with no allegiance to either party, often expressing his grievances over partisan gridlocks and ineffectiveness on Capitol Hill. —

Maya Marchel Hoff, USA TODAY, 3 Nov. 2024 Independents are often swing voters, who may switch their allegiance from election to election. —

Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2024 Republicans led by former President Donald Trump still have an upper hand, largely because the GOP is still seen as the party with stronger free-market allegiances. —

Philip Elliott, TIME, 30 Oct. 2024 This isn’t the first time Plies pledged his allegiance to the Harris campaign and denounced Trump. —

Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for allegiance

Recent Examples of Synonyms for allegiance

Noun

Members of Target Circle, the retailer's free-to-join loyalty program, can find all the Black Friday deals – and some exclusives – extra deals in the Target app.

Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 28 Nov. 2024
Tran also focused on Vietnamese American voters and Vietnamese-language media, hoping that voters would leave their loyalty to the Republican Party in order to support a representative who shared their background.

Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024