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”; see stanch¹

synonym study for staunch

1. See steadfast.

OTHER WORDS FROM staunch

staunch·ly, adverbstaunch·ness, noun

Words nearby staunch

Stauffenberg, St. Augustine, St. Augustine grass, staumrel, staun, staunch, staunchly, Staunton, staurolite, stauropegion, stauroscope

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use staunch in a sentence

Today, organized teachers stand among the staunchest opponents to charter schools, but it wasn’t always that way.
Organized teachers dreamed up charter schools — but their vision got hijacked|Jon Hale|August 25, 2021|Washington Post
One area that has seen massive improvement over the last century is battlefield medicine, where staunching bleeding, speeding evacuation, and rendering aid all mitigate harm already done.
Microscopic mesh could be the key to lighter, stronger body armor|Charlotte Hu|August 22, 2021|Popular-Science
If a soldier can get the wound closed in time, they can staunch the loss, but keeping the patient alive may require an influx of new blood.
Drones could help save soldiers’ lives by delivering blood on demand|Rob Verger|July 25, 2021|Popular-Science
Dorsey has been a staunch bitcoin advocate for years, but how it would be put into action on Twitter’s platform had not yet been spelled out in detail.
Jack Dorsey says bitcoin will be a big part of Twitter’s future|Sarah Perez|July 23, 2021|TechCrunch

That’s why he’s been a staunch advocate for health care as a human right his entire adult life.
The Trailer: Ranked-choice winners, special election battle lines, and the Republican who wants another 2020 audit|David Weigel|July 8, 2021|Washington Post
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
It is a further refinement when the staunch little lover of liberty sets about "easing" the pressure of commands.
Children's Ways|James Sully
Until his death, not long ago, we often corresponded on railway and other matters, and he was always my staunch friend.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow
They then became as staunch in the principles of the Reformation as they had previously been firm in papal policy.
The Childhood of Distinguished Women|Selina A. Bower
They had both admired each other intensely from their first meeting, and had become very good and staunch friends.
The Doctor of Pimlico|William Le Queux
Much of this was owing to the staunch loyalty of the men of Westerly, where its good effects were immediately felt.
A short history of Rhode Island|George Washington Greene

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)

staunch²

/ (stɔːntʃ) /

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