staunch

[ stawnch ]

/ stɔntʃ /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR staunch ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with or without object), noun

Words nearby staunch

staubach, staudinger, stauffenberg, staumrel, staun, staunch, staunton, staurion, staurolite, stauropegion, stauroplegia

Definition for staunch (2 of 2)

staunch²

[ stawnch, stahnch ]

/ stɔntʃ, stɑntʃ /

adjective, staunch·er, staunch·est.

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.

strong; substantial: a staunch little hut in the woods.

impervious to water or other liquids; watertight: a staunch vessel.

Also stanch.

Origin of staunch

1375–1425; late Middle English sta(u)nch < Middle French estanche (feminine), estanc (masculine), derivative of estancher to stanch¹

SYNONYMS FOR staunch

1 constant, true, faithful. See steadfast.

2 resolute.

3 stout, sound.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR staunch ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM staunch

staunch·ly, adverbstaunch·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for staunch

Greste has also taken a stand in prison as a staunch critic of what has transpired.
Behind Bars for the Holidays: 11 Political Prisoners We Want to See Free In 2015|Movements.Org|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Turkey has been a candidate to the European Union since 1999 and a staunch NATO partner since 1952.
Allah, Mom, and Baklava: Turkish President Uses Mothers and Kids as Political Pawns|Xanthe Ackerman|November 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It seemed that I, a staunch feminist, had found myself in the epicenter of macho culture.
The Moms of Monster Jam Drive Trucks, Buck Macho Culture|Eliza Krigman|November 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Two years ago, lawmakers in this staunch pro-labor stronghold passed anti-union right-to-work laws.
GOP States’ Hitlist: Abortion, Unions & Hillary|Nancy Kaffer|November 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST

He delivered a staunch anti-drug speech to a crowd of 1,100 students.
The Secrets of ‘Pulp Fiction’: 20 Things You Didn’t Know About the Movie on Its 20th Anniversary|Marlow Stern|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She was not a member of the inner twelve, but a staunch admirer of Mrs. Balfame, although by no means sure of her innocence.
Mrs. Balfame|Gertrude Franklin Horn Atherton
Through all this trouble Thompson had a staunch and loyal friend.
The Loyalists of Massachusetts|James H. Stark
She had been shot in the breast in two places, and the Abbé Aubert was endeavouring to staunch the blood with his handkerchief.
The World's Greatest Books, Vol VII|Various
Two weeks of utter purgatory were lived through, but Cholmondeley 42 was staunch.
Colorado Jim|George Goodchild
Heavy of gait, stolid of mien, and of indomitable courage, the true Wessex man is a staunch friend and a very mild enemy.
Thomas Hardy's Dorset|Robert Thurston Hopkins

British Dictionary definitions for staunch (1 of 2)

staunch¹

/ (stɔːntʃ) /

adjective

loyal, firm, and dependablea staunch supporter

solid or substantial in construction

rare (of a ship, etc) watertight; seaworthy

Derived forms of staunch

staunchly, adverbstaunchness, noun

Word Origin for staunch

C15: (originally: watertight): from Old French estanche, from estanchier to stanch

British Dictionary definitions for staunch (2 of 2)