Meaning & use
staunch supporter
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Meaning
nouncountable
A person who supports a person, group, or idea firmly and loyally, especially over a long time.
Grammar: Countable: you can say 'a staunch supporter' or 'staunch supporters of the plan'.
Patterns
- a staunch supporter of someone/something
- someone's staunch supporter
She has been a staunch supporter of the local library for twenty years.
The senator is a staunch supporter of free trade.
Even after the scandal, his staunch supporters refused to criticize him.
Word forms
| plural | staunch supporters |
|---|
Common combinations
- a staunch supporter of
- He is a staunch supporter of workers' rights.
- a loyal supporter
- The club thanked its loyal supporters.
- a strong supporter
- She became a strong supporter of the reform.
- a longtime supporter
- A longtime supporter donated the land.
- a supporter of the cause
- Every supporter of the cause was invited.
Synonyms and how they differ
- loyalist
- 'Loyalist' often suggests support for a ruler or government and is used more in political contexts.
- advocate
- 'Advocate' stresses actively speaking up for a cause, while 'supporter' can be quieter and more general.
- backer
- 'Backer' often suggests giving money or practical help, not just loyalty.
Opposites
Word family
- staunchly adverb
- In a firm and loyal way: 'She staunchly defended him.'
- staunchness noun
- The quality of being firm and loyal.
- support verb
- To help or encourage someone or something.
- supportive adjective
- Giving help and encouragement.
Commonly confused: staunch supporter or stanch? staunch supporter or stark?
staunch supporter vs stanch
'Stanch' (also spelled 'staunch') means to stop the flow of blood; 'staunch' meaning loyal is a different, though identically spelled, word.
staunch supporter vs stark
'Stark' means very plain or severe, and sounds similar but is unrelated in meaning.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'staunch supporter' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The phrase needs the article 'a' and the preposition 'of': 'a staunch supporter of'. Option 1 uses 'to', which does not fit; option 2 uses the phrase as a verb; option 3 is missing the article.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “staunch supporter”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.