staunch

[ stawnch, stahnch ]

adjective

, staunch·er, staunch·est.

1. firm or steadfast in principle, adherence, loyalty, etc., as a person:

   a staunch Republican; a staunch friend.

   Synonyms: faithful, true, constant

2. characterized by firmness, steadfastness, or loyalty:

   He delivered a staunch defense of the government.

   Synonyms: resolute

3. strong; substantial:

   a staunch little hut in the woods.

   Synonyms: solid, stable

4. impervious to water or other liquids; watertight:

   a staunch vessel.

staunch

¹

/ stɔːntʃ /

verb

1. See stanch
   a variant spelling of stanch

staunch

²

/ stɔːntʃ /

adjective

1. loyal, firm, and dependable

   a staunch supporter

2. solid or substantial in construction
3. rare.
   (of a ship, etc) watertight; seaworthy

Derived Forms

• ˈstaunchly, adverb
• ˈstaunchness, noun

Other Words From

• staunch·ly adverb
• staunch·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of staunch¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English sta(u)nch, from Middle French estanche (feminine), estanc (masculine), derivative of estancher “to close, stop”; stanch ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of staunch¹

C15: (originally: watertight): from Old French estanche , from estanchier to stanch

Synonym Study

See steadfast.

Example Sentences

Today, organized teachers stand among the staunchest opponents to charter schools, but it wasn’t always that way.

From Washington Post

One area that has seen massive improvement over the last century is battlefield medicine, where staunching bleeding, speeding evacuation, and rendering aid all mitigate harm already done.

From Popular-Science

If a soldier can get the wound closed in time, they can staunch the loss, but keeping the patient alive may require an influx of new blood.

From Popular-Science

Dorsey has been a staunch bitcoin advocate for years, but how it would be put into action on Twitter’s platform had not yet been spelled out in detail.

From TechCrunch

That’s why he’s been a staunch advocate for health care as a human right his entire adult life.

From Washington Post

Greste has also taken a stand in prison as a staunch critic of what has transpired.

From The Daily Beast

Turkey has been a candidate to the European Union since 1999 and a staunch NATO partner since 1952.

From The Daily Beast

It seemed that I, a staunch feminist, had found myself in the epicenter of macho culture.

From The Daily Beast

Two years ago, lawmakers in this staunch pro-labor stronghold passed anti-union right-to-work laws.

From The Daily Beast

He delivered a staunch anti-drug speech to a crowd of 1,100 students.

From The Daily Beast

It is a further refinement when the staunch little lover of liberty sets about "easing" the pressure of commands.

From Project Gutenberg

Until his death, not long ago, we often corresponded on railway and other matters, and he was always my staunch friend.

From Project Gutenberg

They then became as staunch in the principles of the Reformation as they had previously been firm in papal policy.

From Project Gutenberg

They had both admired each other intensely from their first meeting, and had become very good and staunch friends.

From Project Gutenberg

Much of this was owing to the staunch loyalty of the men of Westerly, where its good effects were immediately felt.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ardent
• come-through
• loyal
• reliable
• stalwart
• steadfast
• stout
• trustworthy