staunch

[ stawnch, stahnch ]

/ stɔntʃ, stɑntʃ /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR staunch 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.

Words nearby staunch

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

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. 2019

Examples from the Web for staunchness

But it was nevertheless in such a trait that the staunchness of his love found its true food.
"Persons Unknown"|Virginia Tracy
But it was not pluck alone that roused his enthusiasm for our hero; it was his grit, his staunchness.
Under the Chinese Dragon|F. S. Brereton
She stood for the reserve and staunchness of the bracing North.
Kit Musgrave's Luck|Harold Bindloss
I never saw such fine lines; and best of all, I dont think the builder has sacrificed anything in the way of staunchness to speed.
Harry Watson's High School Days|Frank V. Webster

She liked Kit's staunchness, but nevertheless sometimes it jarred.
Kit Musgrave's Luck|Harold Bindloss

British Dictionary definitions for staunchness (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 staunchness (2 of 2)

staunch²