staunch

American  

[stawnch, stahnch] / stɔntʃ, stɑntʃ /

adjective

stauncher, staunchest

1. firm or steadfast in principle, adherence, loyalty, etc., as a person.

   a staunch Republican; a staunch friend.

   Synonyms:

   faithful, true, constant

2. characterized by firmness, steadfastness, or loyalty.

   He delivered a staunch defense of the government.

   Synonyms:

   resolute

3. strong; substantial.

   a staunch little hut in the woods.

   Synonyms:

   solid, stable

4. impervious to water or other liquids; watertight.

   a staunch vessel.

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staunch ¹ British  

/ stɔːntʃ /

adjective

1. loyal, firm, and dependable

   a staunch supporter

2. solid or substantial in construction

3. rare (of a ship, etc) watertight; seaworthy

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staunch ² British  

/ stɔːntʃ /

verb

1. a variant spelling of stanch

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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

His strident nationalism over the border conflict with Cambodia, his staunch support for the army and his intense loyalty to King Vajiralongkorn all defined him clearly as the standard-bearer for Thai conservatism.

From BBC

Poland has long counted itself one of the U.S.’s staunchest allies since the end of the Cold War.

From The Wall Street Journal

For the first time in my life, the staunch theater etiquette advocate in me could not care less.

From Salon

He is a staunch Maduro loyalist, but admits that both his family and colleagues are struggling.

From BBC

Poland and Lithuania are among the staunchest supporters of Kyiv in the European Union, and both have recently supplied hundreds of generators to the war-torn country.

From Barron's

Related Words

• ardent
• loyal
• reliable
• stalwart
• steadfast
• stout
• trustworthy