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Meaning & use

loyalist

noun·Academic

Last updated

UK/ˈlɔɪəlɪst/
US/ˈlɔɪəlɪst/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    A person who stays firmly loyal to a government, ruler, or cause, especially during a rebellion.

    Grammar: Countable; often capitalized when referring to a specific historical group, e.g. 'the Loyalists'.

    Patterns

    • a loyalist to someone
    • a loyalist in a place
    • the Loyalists

    The loyalists refused to join the uprising.

    Many loyalists fled the country after the revolution.

  2. nouncountable

    A person who strongly supports a political party, leader, or organization and defends it.

    Grammar: Often used in political contexts: 'party loyalists'.

    Patterns

    • a party loyalist
    • a loyalist to a leader

    The senator's loyalists defended him in the press.

    She was seen as a loyalist to the old leadership.

Word forms

pluralloyalists

Common combinations

party loyalist
Party loyalists voted against the proposal.
loyalist paramilitary
The loyalist paramilitary group announced a ceasefire.
loyalist stronghold
The town was known as a loyalist stronghold.
a loyalist to the crown
He remained a loyalist to the crown throughout the war.

Synonyms and how they differ

supporter
More general and can be used for sports teams or ideas; 'loyalist' suggests stronger, often political, loyalty.
patriot
Suggests love for one's country; a loyalist may be loyal to a ruler or government rather than a nation.
devotee
Often used for enthusiastic fans of an activity; 'loyalist' is more about political or military loyalty.

Opposites

rebeltraitor

Word family

loyal adjective
Firmly supporting someone or something.
loyalty noun
The quality of being loyal.
loyally adverb
In a loyal way.

Commonly confused: loyalist or royalist?

loyalist vs royalist

A royalist supports a king or queen; a loyalist supports an established government or cause, which may not be a monarchy.

Practice

During the American Revolution, those who remained faithful to the British king were called ___.

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