loyalist

[ loi-uh-list ]

/ ˈlɔɪ ə lɪst /

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See synonyms for: loyalist / loyalists on Thesaurus.com

noun

a person who is loyal; a supporter of the sovereign or of the existing government, especially in time of revolt.

(sometimes initial capital letter) a person who remained loyal to the British during the American Revolution; Tory.

(initial capital letter) an adherent of the republic during the Spanish Civil War, opposed to Franco.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of loyalist

First recorded in 1640–50; loyal + -ist

OTHER WORDS FROM loyalist

loy·al·ism, noun

Words nearby loyalist

loxodromic, loxodromics, Loy, loya jirga, loyal, loyalist, Loyal Order of Moose, loyalty, loyalty card, Loyalty Islands, Loyang

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use loyalist in a sentence

We also believe that having more people listen to The Economist’s podcasts means they will fall in love with The Economist’s journalism and become loyalists to the brand and lead to more subscribers.
Media Briefing: Publishers’ and platforms’ businesses settle into the new normal|Tim Peterson|February 18, 2021|Digiday
As TV networks like Discovery and NBCUniversal stand up standalone streaming services, pay-TV loyalists may reconsider their subscriptions.
Future of TV Briefing: Hollywood returns to production as stay-at-home orders, advisories lift|Tim Peterson|February 3, 2021|Digiday
Sales have fallen for four straight years as it struggled to win back longtime loyalists who have since gravitated to big box chains such as Target and Costco to outfit their families.
Pandemic bankruptcies: A running list of retailers that have filed for Chapter 11|Abha Bhattarai|December 4, 2020|Washington Post
Musk owns some 20% of Tesla’s shares, and the company’s board is stacked with loyalists.
Elon Musk’s rocket ride|Andrew Nusca|December 2, 2020|Fortune

Jackson was also known for packing postal service leadership with his hand-picked loyalists.
Trump Isn’t the First President to Use His Postmaster for Politics|Fiona Zublin|August 21, 2020|Ozy
Longworth was born in 1783 to Loyalist parents in Newark, New Jersey.
America’s First Great Wine…Made in 1842|Jordan Salcito|November 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Beinart describes a Netanyahu loyalist and a right-winger—which is what the Israeli electorate endorsed twice.
Open Zion Should Not Mean Open Season on Israel|Gil Troy|July 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But Assad loyalist strongholds and natural advantages in the surrounding mountains, can they take it?
For Rebels, a Treacherous Road to Damascus|Mike Giglio|February 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST
A stick-shift loyalist—even in the dead heat of Washington, D.C., traffic—Wood is a hopeless, car-loving, romantic.
Google, Audi, Toyota, and the Brave New World of Driverless Cars|Abby Haglage|January 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST
“It has been vicious,” says a Rice loyalist who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Susan Rice’s Personality 'Disorder'|Lloyd Grove|December 12, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The loyalist forces now scoured the insurgent districts, and it was found impossible to prevent many excesses from taking place.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III.|E. Farr and E. H. Nolan
The jailer, a loyalist, retained his position as a civil detail, thus protecting himself and sons from conscription.
Famous Adventures And Prison Escapes of the Civil War|Various
Burgoyne fell into the error, common throughout the war, of trusting too much to loyalist help.
The Political History of England - Vol. X.|William Hunt
Throughout the terrible events of 1789 Mirabeau was consistent as a loyalist and as a patriot.
The World's Greatest Books, Vol X|Various
The medicine was a great loss: there was no more within reach for rebel or loyalist.
The College, the Market, and the Court|Caroline H. Dall

British Dictionary definitions for loyalist (1 of 2)

loyalist

/ (ˈlɔɪəlɪst) /

noun

a patriotic supporter of his sovereign or government

Derived forms of loyalist

loyalism, noun

British Dictionary definitions for loyalist (2 of 2)

Loyalist

/ (ˈlɔɪəlɪst) /

noun

(in Northern Ireland) any of the Protestants wishing to retain Ulster's link with Britain

(in North America) an American colonist who supported Britain during the War of American Independence

(in Canada) short for United Empire Loyalist

(during the Spanish Civil War) a supporter of the republican government

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

loyalist

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Origin of loyalist

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How to use loyalist in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for loyalist (1 of 2)

Derived forms of loyalist

British Dictionary definitions for loyalist (2 of 2)