steadfast

or sted·fast

[ sted-fast, -fahst, -fuhst ]

adjective

1. fixed in direction; steadily directed:

   a steadfast gaze.

2. firm in purpose, resolution, faith, attachment, etc., as a person:

   a steadfast friend.

   Synonyms: constant, reliable, dependable, sure

   Antonyms: variable, capricious

3. unwavering, as resolution, faith, adherence, etc.
4. firmly established, as an institution or a state of affairs.

   Synonyms: stable

5. firmly fixed in place or position.

   Synonyms: stable

steadfast

/ ˈstɛdfəst; -ˌfɑːst /

adjective

1. (esp of a person's gaze) fixed in intensity or direction; steady
2. unwavering or determined in purpose, loyalty, etc

   steadfast resolve

Derived Forms

• ˈsteadfastness, noun
• ˈsteadfastly, adverb

Other Words From

• stead·fast·ly adverb
• stead·fast·ness noun
• o·ver·stead·fast adjective
• un·stead·fast adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of steadfast¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English stedefast, Old English stedefæst; stead, fast ¹

Synonym Study

Steadfast, staunch, steady imply a sureness and continuousness that may be depended upon. Steadfast literally means fixed in place, but is chiefly used figuratively to indicate undeviating constancy or resolution: steadfast in one's faith. Staunch literally means watertight, as of a vessel, and therefore strong and firm; figuratively, it is used of loyal support that will endure strain: a staunch advocate of free trade. Literally, steady is applied to that which is relatively firm in position or continuous in movement or duration: a steady flow; figuratively, it implies sober regularity or persistence: a steady worker.

Example Sentences

A former US defence department chief of staff in the first Trump administration, Patel has been a steadfast supporter of the incoming Republican president.

From BBC

“John will be a tremendous force for our Naval Servicemembers, and a steadfast leader in advancing my America First vision,” Trump wrote in a statement.

From Salon

You don’t strike me as someone who has a problem staying steadfast to themselves, even in a business that can be very seductive.

From New York Times

Instead, it presents him as a steadfast superhero for justice, no less in the full title itself, which adds the descriptors usually saved for a summer-blockbuster tagline: “Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin.”

From Los Angeles Times

Some BaronHR clients backed away as the agency’s troubles became more widely known, but hundreds remained steadfast.

From New York Times

Related Words

• abiding
• adamant
• ardent
• dedicated
• faithful
• inflexible
• intense
• relentless
• resolute
• rigid
• single-minded
• staunch
• stubborn
• true
• unflinching
• unqualified
• unswerving
• unwavering
• unyielding