staunch

[stawnch]

See more synonyms for staunch on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with or without object), noun

stanch¹.

staunch

[stawnch, stahnch]

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

Related formsstaunch·ly, adverbstaunch·ness, noun

Synonyms for staunch

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1. constant, true, faithful. See steadfast. 2. resolute. 3. stout, sound.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for staunch

steadfast, reliable, trustworthy, loyal, stout, ardent, stalwart, sound, firm, secure, fast, stable, true, constant, faithful, inflexible, stiff, strong, sure, tough

Examples from the Web for staunch

Contemporary Examples of 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
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
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
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
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

Historical Examples of staunch

The staunch old gentleman was still in his trust; had never left it.
A Tale of Two Cities
Charles Dickens
Pee-wee's loyalty was so staunch that he did not even consider the things his aunt had said.
Pee-wee Harris
Percy Keese Fitzhugh
Decimus Saxon is staunch, though, and that word shall never be spoken.'
Micah Clarke
Arthur Conan Doyle
There was the corner grocer, too, with whom I pretended to be staunch friends.
The Harbor
Ernest Poole
If you ever acted like staunch fellows, you will do so to-day.
Barnaby Rudge
Charles Dickens

British Dictionary definitions for staunch

staunch

adjective

loyal, firm, and dependablea staunch supporter
solid or substantial in construction
rare (of a ship, etc) watertight; seaworthy

Derived Formsstaunchly, adverbstaunchness, noun

Word Origin for staunch

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

staunch

verb, noun

a variant spelling of stanch

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for staunch

adj.

early 15c., "impervious to water," from Old French estanche "firm, watertight," fem. of estanc "dried, exhausted, wearied, vanquished," from Vulgar Latin *stanticare, probably from Latin stans (genitive stantis), present participle of stare "to stand," from PIE root *sta- "to stand" (see stet). Sense of "strong, substantial" first recorded mid-15c.; of persons, "standing firm and true to one's principles" from 1620s.