loyalist

American  

[loi-uh-list] / ˈlɔɪ ə lɪst /

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.

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Loyalist ¹ British  

/ 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

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loyalist ² British  

/ ˈlɔɪəlɪst /

noun

1. a patriotic supporter of his sovereign or government

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Other Word Forms

• loyalism noun

Etymology

Origin of loyalist

First recorded in 1640–50; loyal + -ist

Compare meaning

How does loyalist compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• patriot vs. loyalist

Example Sentences

He handed over the reins of the military to loyalist and former spymaster Ye Win Oo on Monday.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Min Aung Hlaing is expected to manage a carefully orchestrated transition to becoming president, after he handed over the reins of the military to loyalist Ye Win Oo on Monday.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

On 3 March, a government rally marked two months since Maduro's arrest, with crowds donning T‑shirts bearing his face, repeating loyalist slogans.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 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

Daoud’s loyalist forces were all but defeated, Abdul Qader said in a reassuring tone.

From "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini

Related Words

• follower