staunch
Americanadjective
-
firm or steadfast in principle, adherence, loyalty, etc., as a person.
a staunch Republican; a staunch friend.
-
characterized by firmness, steadfastness, or loyalty.
He delivered a staunch defense of the government.
- Synonyms:
- resolute
-
a staunch little hut in the woods.
-
impervious to water or other liquids; watertight.
a staunch vessel.
adjective
-
loyal, firm, and dependable
a staunch supporter
-
solid or substantial in construction
-
rare (of a ship, etc) watertight; seaworthy
verb
Related Words
See steadfast.
Other Word Forms
- staunchly adverb
- staunchness noun
Etymology
Origin of staunch
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English sta(u)nch, from Middle French estanche (feminine), estanc (masculine), derivative of estancher “to close, stop”; stanch 1
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.
Like Harold Bloom, she was a staunch defender of the canon.
New backers such as HSBC, previously staunch supporters of establishment events, are eye-catching additions to their sponsorship portfolio.
From BBC
Both in the show and in his personal life, Reiner was a staunch opponent of the Vietnam War and an outspoken liberal.
He’s no staunch anti-gambling advocate either: “I have nothing against sports gambling,” he said.
Theater owner trade group Cinema United has voiced staunch opposition to the deal, saying it represented an “unprecedented threat to the global exhibition business.”
From Los Angeles Times
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.
