staunch

[stawnch, stahnch]

adjective

stauncher, staunchest 

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 /

adjective

1. loyal, firm, and dependable

   a staunch supporter

2. solid or substantial in construction

3. rare,  (of a ship, etc) watertight; seaworthy

staunch

²

/ stɔːntʃ /

verb

1. a variant spelling of stanch

Other Word Forms

• staunchly adverb
• staunchness 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

Ecuadoran President Daniel Noboa, a staunch US ally, said Tuesday his government could host a foreign military base on the Galapagos Islands, famous their unique flora and fauna.

Read more on Barron's

Nevertheless, they became unexpected but staunch allies on the Human Rights Commission that drafted the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights, ratified in 1948.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Leavitt’s staunch devotion to the president apparently justifies treating people rudely and with contempt.

Read more on Salon

Although he was a staunch conservative from the beginning, Rubio showed early on an aptitude for sensing which way the wind was blowing.

Read more on Salon

A staunch conservative and admirer of the late former British PM Margaret Thatcher, Takaichi takes over at a challenging economic moment as Japan grapples with rising cost-of-living and a frustrated public.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• ardent 
• loyal 
• reliable 
• stalwart 
• steadfast 
• stout 
• trustworthy