Meaning & use
remain steadfast
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Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
To keep your beliefs, support, or purpose strong and unchanging, especially when this is difficult.
Grammar: Used with a person or group as the subject; it takes no object and is often followed by 'in' or 'to'.
Patterns
- remain steadfast in something
- remain steadfast to something
- remain steadfast despite something
She remained steadfast in her support for the campaign, even when the criticism grew loud.
The small team remained steadfast to its original plan throughout the difficult year.
phrasefixed phraseliterary
To stay firmly in place or continue without weakening, used of things such as hope, courage, or loyalty.
Grammar: The subject is usually an abstract noun like 'hope' or 'friendship', not a person.
Patterns
- something remains steadfast
His hope remained steadfast long after the others had given up.
Their friendship remained steadfast through years of separation.
Common combinations
- remain steadfast in your belief
- He remained steadfast in his belief that the project would succeed.
- remain steadfast to a promise
- She remained steadfast to the promise she had made to her mother.
- remain steadfast under pressure
- Good leaders remain steadfast under pressure.
- remain steadfast in the face of criticism
- The mayor remained steadfast in the face of harsh criticism.
- remain steadfast in your commitment
- The volunteers remained steadfast in their commitment to the shelter.
Synonyms and how they differ
- stay firm
- More common and slightly less formal; it suggests not changing your position rather than holding deep beliefs.
- stand fast
- An older, more dramatic phrase, mostly used in stories or speeches.
- be unwavering
- Stronger and more formal; it stresses that nothing at all shakes you.
Opposites
Word family
- steadfastly adverb
- In a firm and unchanging way: she steadfastly refused.
- steadfastness noun
- The quality of staying firm and loyal: his steadfastness impressed everyone.
Commonly confused: remain steadfast or steadfast? remain steadfast or remain steady?
remain steadfast vs steadfast
The adjective alone means 'firm and loyal'; the full phrase 'remain steadfast' adds the idea of continuing in that state over time.
remain steadfast vs remain steady
'Steady' means not shaking or not changing level, and is used of prices, hands, or progress; 'steadfast' is about loyalty and belief.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'remain steadfast' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Remain steadfast in something' is the standard pattern, so option 0 is correct. Option 1 is missing the preposition 'in'; option 2 uses the adverb 'steadfastly' where an adjective is needed after 'remain'; option 3 uses 'to' before a verb phrase, which does not fit this fixed phrase.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “remain steadfast”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.