ALLEGIANCES Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'allegiance' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of allegiance are devotion , fealty , fidelity , loyalty , and piety . While all these words mean "faithfulness to something to which one is bound by pledge or duty," allegiance suggests an adherence like that of citizens to their country. // pledging allegiance

Q: When might 'devotion' be a better fit than 'allegiance'?

While the synonyms devotion and allegiance are close in meaning, devotion stresses zeal and service amounting to self-dedication. // a painter's devotion to her art

Q: When would 'fealty' be a good substitute for 'allegiance'?

Although the words fealty and allegiance have much in common, fealty implies a fidelity acknowledged by the individual and as compelling as a sworn vow. // fealty to the truth

Q: When could 'fidelity' be used to replace 'allegiance'?

The words fidelity and allegiance can be used in similar contexts, but fidelity implies strict and continuing faithfulness to an obligation, trust, or duty. // marital fidelity

Q: In what contexts can 'loyalty' take the place of 'allegiance'?

The words loyalty and allegiance are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, loyalty implies a faithfulness that is steadfast in the face of any temptation to renounce, desert, or betray. // valued the loyalty of his friends

Q: When can 'piety' be used instead of 'allegiance'?

The meanings of piety and allegiance largely overlap; however, piety stresses fidelity to obligations regarded as natural and fundamental. // filial piety

allegiance

noun

ə-ˈlē-jən(t)s

Definition of allegiance

as in loyalty

adherence to something to which one is bound by a pledge or duty torn between his allegiance to his native country and the opportunities a sports career in the U.S. could offer

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How is the word allegiance distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of allegiance are devotion, fealty, fidelity, loyalty, and piety. While all these words mean "faithfulness to something to which one is bound by pledge or duty," allegiance suggests an adherence like that of citizens to their country.

pledging allegiance

When might devotion be a better fit than allegiance?

While the synonyms devotion and allegiance are close in meaning, devotion stresses zeal and service amounting to self-dedication.

a painter's devotion to her art

When would fealty be a good substitute for allegiance?

Although the words fealty and allegiance have much in common, fealty implies a fidelity acknowledged by the individual and as compelling as a sworn vow.

fealty to the truth

When could fidelity be used to replace allegiance?

The words fidelity and allegiance can be used in similar contexts, but fidelity implies strict and continuing faithfulness to an obligation, trust, or duty.

marital fidelity

In what contexts can loyalty take the place of allegiance?

The words loyalty and allegiance are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, loyalty implies a faithfulness that is steadfast in the face of any temptation to renounce, desert, or betray.

valued the loyalty of his friends

When can piety be used instead of allegiance?

The meanings of piety and allegiance largely overlap; however, piety stresses fidelity to obligations regarded as natural and fundamental.

filial piety

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of allegiance But by the end of the film, Seyfried begins pushing Fielder on his allegiances and assumptions. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026 Those would stop for creators who shift their allegiances to other platforms. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026 An empire assembled from low-cost components and with no barriers to access will likely gain allegiance from the majority of the world’s economies. — Niall Ferguson, Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2026 The Gonzalès retrospective also raises the question of why this allegiance remained largely concealed for part of her early career. — Sarah Belmont, ARTnews.com, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for allegiance

Recent Examples of Synonyms for allegiance

Noun

My business experience has shown me that clients feel more loyalty and comfort with a company willing to work through difficult periods with them.

— Mark Berookim, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
In the Buendías’ legacy of love and betrayal, loyalty and idealism, there was domestic and political violence, but there was also ice in the middle of the jungle and a sickness that put the whole town to sleep and girls that became witches.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of loyalty

Noun

Nvidia's most recent quarterly financial filing in August outlined over $500 billion in off-balance-sheet commitments over the coming years, with a majority maturing through fiscal 2029.

— Kif Leswing,Isabel O'Brien, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
The Biden administration also had a commitment to AI safety that annoyed AI companies.

— Nina Verdelli, Vanity Fair, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of commitment

Noun

Has he been hoodwinked by the performance of devotion between Holmes and Evans?

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
Turturro admires Harry’s old-school pride in his craft, but the character’s devotion to his ailing wife struck a deeper chord.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of devotion

Noun

For the same reasons little dogs appeared so frequently at the feet of dead women (and clerics) in tomb sculpture, plenty of Renaissance portraits feature them as a symbol of fidelity.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026
The lack of a higher-fidelity codec may share some of the blame for the cymbals' lack of sparkle.

— Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of fidelity

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alleges

allegiance

alleging

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“Allegiance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/allegiance. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of allegiance

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