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

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

From Salon

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

He was steadfast in demanding the death penalty for his daughter’s killer.

From Los Angeles Times

Among their targets was Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon, who was steadfast against early redemption.

From Los Angeles Times

Ramping up to a nail-biting election, a slew of people with steadfast political beliefs and questionable moral values descended on New York City from far and wide.

From Salon

Related Words

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