loyalist
Americannoun
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a person who is loyal; a supporter of the sovereign or of the existing government, especially in time of revolt.
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(sometimes initial capital letter) a person who remained loyal to the British during the American Revolution; Tory.
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(initial capital letter) an adherent of the republic during the Spanish Civil War, opposed to Franco.
noun
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(in Northern Ireland) any of the Protestants wishing to retain Ulster's link with Britain
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(in North America) an American colonist who supported Britain during the War of American Independence
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(in Canada) short for United Empire Loyalist
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(during the Spanish Civil War) a supporter of the republican government
noun
Other Word Forms
- loyalism noun
Etymology
Origin of loyalist
Compare meaning
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Explanation
In politics, a loyalist is someone who stays faithful to a party or government even during times of upheaval and revolt. During America's colonial era, loyalists supported British rule. Today in the U.K., someone who's described as a loyalist is typically a supporter of political union between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. This term is often used during times of upheaval in various countries, to talk about those who remain loyal to an established government. It's been used this way since at least the 17th century — but if your favorite childhood movie gets a terrible remake, feel free to say you're a loyalist to the original version.
Vocabulary lists containing loyalist
Chapter 5: The Spirit of Independence
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Chapter 5: The American Revolution, Lessons 1–2
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History 1 (Grade 8)
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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.
Kiki Monique considers herself a Delta Air Lines loyalist after flying with the carrier for more than a decade.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026
He handed over the reins of the military to loyalist and former spymaster Ye Win Oo on Monday.
From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026
Samary arrived just ahead of Gomina, his loyalist commander, at QRF headquarters, a base fortified by guard towers and razor wire.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026
He is a staunch Maduro loyalist, but admits that both his family and colleagues are struggling.
From BBC • Jan. 29, 2026
By April, the ANC and General Bantu Holomisa, the military leader of the Transkei and an ANC loyalist, had arranged for a visit.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
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.
