loyalist

[loi-uh-list]

noun

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

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

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

Loyalist

¹

/ ˈlɔɪəlɪst /

noun

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

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

3. (in Canada) short for United Empire Loyalist

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

loyalist

²

/ ˈlɔɪəlɪst /

noun

1. a patriotic supporter of his sovereign or government

Other Word Forms

• loyalism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of loyalist¹

First recorded in 1640–50; loyal + -ist

Example Sentences

Once-sycophantic loyalists in Congress and in the right-wing media are now willing to criticize the president’s handling of the economy, his stance towards Israel and his immigration policies.

Read more on Salon

I like your moxie and understand why bitcoin loyalists like you exist.

Read more on MarketWatch

In addition to bringing on loyalists, the administration has launched a purge of career FBI staff since January.

Read more on Salon

She has called party loyalists to engage in “permanent mobilization.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

When Hussein was deposed in Iraq, the military officers, Ba’ath Party loyalists and regime-tied sycophants who ruled the roost for nearly a quarter-century were forced to make do with an entirely new situation.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• follower