steadfast

or sted·fast

[sted-fast, -fahst, -fuhst]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR steadfast ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

fixed in direction; steadily directed: a steadfast gaze.

firm in purpose, resolution, faith, attachment, etc., as a person: a steadfast friend.

unwavering, as resolution, faith, adherence, etc.

firmly established, as an institution or a state of affairs.

firmly fixed in place or position.

Origin of steadfast

before 1000; Middle English stedefast, Old English stedefæst. See stead, fast¹

Related formsstead·fast·ly, adverbstead·fast·ness, nouno·ver·stead·fast, adjectiveo·ver·stead·fast·ly, adverbo·ver·stead·fast·ness, nounun·stead·fast, adjectiveun·stead·fast·ly, adverbun·stead·fast·ness, noun

Synonyms for steadfast

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR steadfast ON THESAURUS.COM

2. sure, dependable, reliable, constant, unwavering. Steadfast, staunch, steady imply a sureness and continuousness that may be depended upon. Steadfast literally means fixed in place, but is chiefly used figuratively to indicate undeviating constancy or resolution: steadfast in one's faith. Staunch literally means watertight, as of a vessel, and therefore strong and firm; figuratively, it is used of loyal support that will endure strain: a staunch advocate of free trade. Literally, steady is applied to that which is relatively firm in position or continuous in movement or duration: a steady flow; figuratively, it implies sober regularity or persistence: a steady worker. 4, 5. stable.

Antonyms for steadfast

2. capricious, variable.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for steadfast

stubborn, unwavering, single-minded, faithful, unflinching, inflexible, resolute, unswerving, dedicated, intense, abiding, unyielding, rigid, unqualified, ardent, staunch, adamant, relentless, true, bound

Examples from the Web for steadfast

Contemporary Examples of steadfast

I envy my refusenik friends their steadfast commitments to stay in, and contentment in doing so.
The Refuseniks Hiding From ‘Happy New Year’
Lizzie Crocker
December 31, 2014
“A steadfast soldier of the law,” Felsman had said of his friend and comrade.
Killer Eric Frein Held in Murdered Cop’s Cuffs
Michael Daly
October 31, 2014
To date, the league has been steadfast in backing Snyder as well.
It’s Official: ‘Redskins’ Is Racist, but Will the Team or NFL Listen?
Robert Silverman
June 18, 2014
She paired that dream to a steadfast commitment to improvement and a genuine passion for the slopes.
Skiing Prodigy Mikaela Shiffrin Looks Ahead to Sochi
Jake Bright
December 1, 2013
He denied, however, that Steadfast Jazz was in any way a rebuttal to Zapad-13.
The Return of Russian Hard Power?
Michael Weiss
November 23, 2013

Historical Examples of steadfast

"No surrender" was the steadfast motto of Bismarck and his royal master.
Camps, Quarters and Casual Places
Archibald Forbes
Their offspring bold fares hither to seek the steadfast friend.
Beowulf
Anonymous
Had he not looked in time, and with clear, steadfast eyes, might he not have fallen?
A Spirit in Prison
Robert Hichens
The faith in life which the master had implanted in her kept her brave and steadfast.
Doctor Pascal
Emile Zola
Paul had not shifted his steadfast gaze from his brother's face.
A Son of Hagar
Sir Hall Caine

British Dictionary definitions for steadfast

steadfast

stedfast

adjective

(esp of a person's gaze) fixed in intensity or direction; steady

unwavering or determined in purpose, loyalty, etcsteadfast resolve

Derived Formssteadfastly or stedfastly, adverbsteadfastness or stedfastness, noun

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 steadfast

adj.

Old English stedefæst "secure in position," from stede (see stead) + fæst (see fast (adj.)); cf. Middle Low German stedevast, Old Norse staðfastr. Related: Steadfastly, steadfastness.