staunch
Americanadjective
-
firm or steadfast in principle, adherence, loyalty, etc., as a person.
a staunch Republican; a staunch friend.
-
characterized by firmness, steadfastness, or loyalty.
He delivered a staunch defense of the government.
- Synonyms:
- resolute
-
a staunch little hut in the woods.
-
impervious to water or other liquids; watertight.
a staunch vessel.
adjective
-
loyal, firm, and dependable
a staunch supporter
-
solid or substantial in construction
-
rare (of a ship, etc) watertight; seaworthy
verb
Synonym Usage
See steadfast.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Adjectives
Etymology
Origin of staunch
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English sta(u)nch, from Middle French estanche (feminine), estanc (masculine), derivative of estancher “to close, stop”; see stanch 1
Explanation
As an adjective, staunch means firm. You might want to go to that concert Friday night, but your parents' staunch opposition prevents you. Staunch is sometimes used as a verb to mean "to stop the flow of a liquid," but most usage books will tell you it's better to use the word stanch for the verb. Think of a soldier stopping and standing still, and you will understand the connection between the two meanings. The adjectival form should make you think of "stand," as in “stand firm,” or "take a stand." It comes from the French estanche meaning “watertight” and the Latin stanticare, which is probably from stans for “stand.”
Vocabulary lists containing staunch
Born a Crime
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"Of Plymouth Plantation," Vocabulary from the historical account
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Promises, Promises
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The 54-year-old remains a staunch bitcoin advocate, and was unfazed during the multiweek recent selloff in Strategy and Stretch.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 16, 2026
By now Izzy, a lawyer with a wife, has emerged as a staunch foe of the Israeli government, while Alona plans to move to Israel with her husband.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026
But any relationship with China is also a balancing act, especially for a staunch US ally like Japan.
From BBC ● Jun. 17, 2026
Tuvalu has long been renowned for its staunch advocacy in support of urgent climate action.
From Barron's ● Jun. 5, 2026
He fumbled for a bandage to staunch the commander’s bleeding.
From "Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam" by Elizabeth Partridge
Two years after the WTO's last ministerial conference in Abu Dhabi failed to make meaningful progress on key issues like fisheries and agriculture, member states face even stauncher challenges.
From Barron's ● Mar. 26, 2026
However, the source said Reeker tried to get the agency to issue a stauncher defense of Yovanovitch.
From Reuters ● Oct. 26, 2019
He conceived it as an alternative to 4chan, one with an even stauncher commitment to anything-goes content moderation.
From The New Yorker ● Sep. 23, 2019
Saudi Arabia and the U.S. strongly backed Hadi, and the new president proved a stauncher ally to the U.S. than Saleh in the fight against al-Qaida’s branch in the country.
From Time ● Mar. 22, 2015
I do repent me of all my transgression against you, but from this time forth, my queen, by the grace of God, you will have no stauncher 327 subject than William Stafford.
From In Doublet and Hose A Story for Girls by De Land, Clyde Osmer
“He became one of my staunchest supporters and schooled me on whom I could trust and whom I could never turn my back on.”
From Slate ● Feb. 25, 2026
Some of those countries, such as Estonia, Lithuania and Poland, are now some of the alliance’s staunchest members.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 21, 2026
At Granja Elena in Zona Franca, I enjoyed a tomato and scallop tartare that could entice even the staunchest carnivore.
From Salon ● Dec. 6, 2025
Marjorie Taylor Greene came into Congress as one of Donald Trump's staunchest defenders.
From BBC ● Nov. 22, 2025
Her father was the staunchest man who'd ever lived, and she had no doubt that he would call his banners . . . but would the banners come?
From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
