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

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

The reason for the appointment was that Khamenei was a longtime loyalist and regime insider, even though he lacked the charismatic and religious authority of Khomeini.

From Salon • Mar. 6, 2026

To be a Swann loyalist, as Lawrence was, meant being prepared to pack one’s academic bags on short notice.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Related Words

• follower