staunch

[ stawnch, stahnch ]

See synonyms for: staunch staunchest staunchly staunchness on Thesaurus.com

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.

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”; see stanch¹

Sometimes stanch .

synonym study For staunch

1. See steadfast.

Other words for staunch

1	constant, true, faithful
2	resolute
3	stable, solid

See synonyms for staunch on Thesaurus.com

Other words from staunch

staunch·ly, adverb
staunch·ness, noun

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

How to use staunch in a sentence

She is a grassroots organizer in local teaching and social justice circles with a staunch focus on helping Californians fulfill basic needs such as food and housing.
Candidates’ Take on Labor Will Shape Race for 79th Assembly District | Bella Ross | February 18, 2021 | Voice of San Diego
Hundreds of billions in aid will staunch some of the damage of 2020, but the economy of these cities is counted in the many trillions.
America's Cities Are in Crisis. They Should be Allowed to Raise Debt to Save Themselves | Zachary Karabell | February 11, 2021 | Time
He was a minister who fought in the Civil War and a staunch supporter of the education of freed slaves.
'Another Milestone in the Long, Long Road.' Rev. Raphael Warnock's Georgia Senate Victory Made History in Multiple Ways | Olivia B. Waxman | January 7, 2021 | Time
His refusal stemmed from a desire to raise individual financial aid from $600 to $2000, something that Democratic representatives have been fighting for against staunch opposition Republican opposition.
The ‘darkest days’ of COVID-19 are still to come | Sara Kiley Watson | December 29, 2020 | Popular-Science
A pretty risky voyage,—one that tests the staunchness of a boat and the seamanship of the captain.
Up the Forked River | Edward Sylvester Ellis

They induced the French to respect the staunchness of the German spirit.
History of the Jews, Vol. V (of 6) | Heinrich Graetz
This renewed assurance of the staunchness of my tight little tin pan was by no means unwelcome.
Down the Yellowstone | Lewis R. Freeman
We all of us recognize the staunchness of his principles; we all—all of us here assembled—know the excellence of his work.
Such is Life | Frank Wedekind
All that structure finds its support and staunchness in what they call the cates, which are the buoys of which we have spoken.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 - Volume 40 of 55 | Francisco Colin

British Dictionary definitions for staunch (1 of 2)

staunch¹

/ (stɔːntʃ) /

adjective

loyal, firm, and dependable: a staunch supporter
solid or substantial in construction

rare (of a ship, etc) watertight; seaworthy

Origin of staunch

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

Derived forms of staunch

staunchly, adverb
staunchness, noun

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

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