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

The Social Democratic and Labour Party’s MP for Foyle, Colum Eastwood, said the McGreanery family had been “steadfast in their campaign for truth, justice and accountability”.

From BBC

An Iraq war veteran and the son of immigrants, Gallego rose to prominence in the Democratic Party as a steadfast progressive.

From Salon

Earlier this year, frustrated by Biden’s steadfast support for Israel, he and two fellow Palestinian Americans co-founded Listen to Michigan, a coalition urging local voters to send Biden a message by voting “uncommitted” in the Democratic primary.

From Slate

The government said it would maintain the £2.4bn current level of farm payments in England for 2025/26, and that its commitment to farming was "steadfast".

From BBC

Both declined to comment to ProPublica, as did state Attorney General Ken Paxton, whose commitment to the ban remains steadfast as he fights for access to the out-of-state medical records of women who travel for abortions.

From Salon

Related Words

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