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

The president has installed loyalists at the DOJ and FBI who are dedicated to implementing his political interests.

From Salon

Joe Biden loyalists — many of whom were never great fans of Harris — have bristled at her relatively mild criticisms of the obviously aged and physically declining president.

From Los Angeles Times

The prime minister also managed to rig the system by permitting loyalists to buy up media companies, leaving virtually no outlet that isn’t essentially part of his coalition.

From Salon

Stand-up comics in India who speak out against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s authoritarian overreach face death threats and intimidation from loyalists and police.

From Salon

They view power as a way of accumulating more wealth and resources for themselves and for their loyalists.

From Salon

Related Words

• follower