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

• ˈsteadfastly, adverb
• ˈsteadfastness, noun

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

I envy my refusenik friends their steadfast commitments to stay in, and contentment in doing so.

From The Daily Beast

“A steadfast soldier of the law,” Felsman had said of his friend and comrade.

From The Daily Beast

He remained steadfast in his belief in the promise of the conservative social network.

From The Daily Beast

To date, the league has been steadfast in backing Snyder as well.

From The Daily Beast

In the months following the death of our newborn daughter, I had remained steadfast in my faith, devout and prayerful.

From The Daily Beast

The Afghan was true to his salt, and their own retainers, who had come with them from Lucknow, remained steadfast at this crisis.

From Project Gutenberg

At this part of Lorenzo's narrative, a cry, unutterable in words, burst from the engloomed but steadfast bosom of his auditor.

From Project Gutenberg

And these steadfast qualities Tom absorbed unconsciously through his very skin.

From Project Gutenberg

The driving power that forced an older self upon her had weakened before the steadfast love he bore her.

From Project Gutenberg

Her dress and bearing gave the impression of solid wellbeing, and steadfast purpose.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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